ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 25, 2013) – Several schools and a mall have reopened on Wednesday in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines as military forces continue clearing operations in areas occupied by separatist rebels.
Troops continued to pursue Moro National Liberation Front rebels in at least 4 villages, but officials have allowed schools outside the conflict zone to reopen. The Mindpro Mall in downtown Zamboanga also reopened after shutting down two weeks ago because of the violence.
But surprisingly Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Defense Chief Voltaire Gazmin, along with Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, were also present at the opening of a school and mall where Manila-based television journalists interviewed them.
Critics branded the presence of Gazmin, Roxas and Soliman as mere publicity and called them “epal,” a street slang for a person or politician who wanted to be in the middle of media publicity.
Roxas and Soliman previously gave media interviews inside a refugee tent in Zamboanga and at one time invited television reports to interview him at the pier where workers are hauling cargoes of relief goods.
Roxas, a key ally of President Benigno Aquino, is eyeing the presidency, while Soliman is said to be aspiring a senatorial seat in the 2016 national elections.
Policemen and soldiers were also deployed in schools and mall and other commercial establishments to ensure the safety of the public.
Fighting has already killed nearly 400 people in Zamboanga since September 9 following simultaneous attacks by Moro National Liberation Front rebels. (Mindanao Examiner)
20