ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine military and the Zamboanga City government have honored Monday soldiers and policemen who died fighting rebels that attacked this southern port city last year.
The attack by Moro National Liberation Front rebels sparked three weeks of house-to-house fighting and street battles that displaced more than 120,000 people. Over 400 people were killed and wounded in the battle.
Defense Chief Voltaire Gazmin, accompanied by Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., and Western Mindanao Command Chief Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero, together with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas joined Mayor Beng Climaco in the ceremony that honored 20 soldiers and five policemen who perished in the fighting, including 13 civilians.
They laid a wreath on a marker which Climaco unveiled and on it was this engraved “In remembrance of the 38 fallen heroes of the Zamboanga siege, September 2013, who laid their precious, lives to the cause of upholding on flag, one nation, one Zamboanga. Your memories and sacrifices will forever be etched in the heart of every Zamboangueno.”
Soldiers presented to Climaco the Philippine Flag “that was never lowered down during the Zamboanga siege. Battle-scarred yet resplendent, it continued to unfurl until victory was declared on September 28, 2013.”
Climaco led other military, police and government officials in visiting the sites of the deadly battles in the villages of Mariki, Rio Hondo, Santa Barbara, and inspected ongoing housing projects for those displaced by the fighting. Catapang and Guererro later spoke to soldiers at the Western Mindanao Command, and attended a peace and order council meeting at the City Hall, where a photo exhibit of the siege was also held.
“The victory of Zamboanga will always remind us of the heroism and sacrifices of our soldiers. They risked their lives to defend the city and save innocent civilians from lawless elements selfishly trying to grab power. Rest assured the AFP will continue to guard against those who attempt to destroy or harm our way of life. Be it Zamboanga or anywhere else,” Catapang said.
For his part, Roxas praised the vigilance of the local people and their commitment to peace. “We are here to remember, to reflect, and to recommit on what Zamboanga is for all of us – Zamboanga Hermosa. The siege brought out the best of the Zamboanguenos,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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