Residents flee their homes in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines where Moro National Liberation Front fighters raided several villages. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 9, 2013) – Philippine authorities have imposed a 9-hour curfew in Zamboanga City as Filipino government officials downplayed the failure of military intelligence in preventing rebel attacks that killed at least 6 people.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar said over 200 civilians were also taken hostage by members of the Moro National Liberation Front, whose chieftain Nur Misuari has repeatedly accused Manila of failing to fully honor a peace deal he signed 17 years ago with the government. But police said only 87 people are actually being held by rebels.
The curfew also included members of the media, but Salazar said she would issue a media pass to allow journalists to work during night time for the duration of the crisis.
“With the current situation in the City, we are declaring the imposition of curfew in Zamboanga City starting 8 o’clock tonight to 5 a.m. This is with authority from the City Council which met on a special session just this afternoon,” she said on Monday.
“With the curfew, only people working directly in managing the situation will be permitted to go around the city including those in the medical profession and working for evacuation and distribution of relief goods. Others who will be out on the streets will be invited for interrogation,” she added.
Some 400 rebels forces arrived by boats from Sulu and Basilan provinces undetected by the military until a navy patrol chanced on the vessels near a coastal village in Zamboanga. The chance encounter resulted in a firefight that killed one navy man and triggered simultaneous attacks in at least 5 areas in Zamboanga.
Police said MNLF forces fired rocket propelled grenades indiscriminately hitting several buildings. They said most of those killed in the attacks were shot by MNLF snipers.
Salazar appealed to residents to stay inside their houses and report to authorities any suspicious persons or groups in their villages until the situation returns to normal. “On this light, we advise people to stay in your homes, do not go out of the streets unless it is of utmost importance. The police and military are properly handling the situation,” she said.
She said classes remain suspended in all levels in both public and private schools, including work in all offices, except for government offices providing frontline services.
She said more than 2,500 villagers who have fled their homes for fear of being caught in the cross-fire or held hostage are now staying in temporary shelters. (Mindanao Examiner)
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