ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 12, 2013) – Philippine authorities on Saturday cut off all mobile phone signals for hours in the southern port city of Zamboanga – scene of deadly street battles between security and rebel forces – for fear that terrorists may launch bomb attacks using cell phone signal to trigger detonation.
Zamboanga is celebrating the Catholic Feast of the Nuestra Señora del Pilar in honor of the Virgin Mary and a long procession was held on Saturday afternoon around downtown area where last month was occupied by Moro National Liberation Front rebels who stormed several villages here.
Security was so tight during the annual procession that residents were not allowed to carry any backpacks. Those who wanted to pray at the open space shrine of the Virgin Mary at For Pilar had to pass a strict search before being allowed inside the small compound surrounded by soldiers and military armoured vehicles.
No officials would like to talk publicly about what steps authorities had taken to ensure the security of the largely Catholic city of Zamboanga, which was attacked many times by rebels and terrorists. But the mere presence of a huge number of soldiers and policemen has virtually turned Zamboanga into a military garrison.
Catholic faithful, many of them clutching rosaries and crucifix, marched the streets as the procession, led by Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar snaked through what were once busy roads to show their devotion to the Virgin Mary that old locals believed is miraculous. Several military helicopters made a low flyover and dropped flowers and confetti over the long procession.
“Our devotion to Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar all through the years has been our beacon of hope amidst the trials and adversities,” the mayor said.
She said unlike in previous years, the Fiesta Hermosa celebration was a “toned-down affair” because of the man-made crisis that devastated Zamboanga and the subsequent widespread flooding due to the recent typhoon that hit the southern region.
“I urge our people to continue reverence to the La Virgen del Pilar to always lead us to Jesus. Our steadfast devotion to the Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar all through the years has been our beacon of hope amidst the trials and adversities. No matter how intricate and complicated the challenges are – we, the good, will always prevail,” Salazar said.
Locals are largely superstitious and attribute all things – good or bad – to the Virgin Mary and other Catholic deities and even a recent typhoon that hit the city was attributed to the gods. Other pray for the rains to stop and when the sky cleared after five days of heavy rains that submerged a huge part of Zamboanga, all praises went to the Virgin Mary and of course, Jesus Christ.
Last month’s fighting killed and wounded over 400 people and resulted in a humanitarian crisis and many of the over 100,000 war refugees still remain in temporary shelters and evacuation areas as security forces have to finish clearing at least 6 villages occupied by separatist rebels.
The Fort Pilar where the centuries-old statue of the Virgin Mary, is displayed was also hit by several mortar bombs during the fighting. (Mindanao Examiner)
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