ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local government said it would close down the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex which is being used as temporary shelters for war victims in Zamboanga City.
Acting City Administrator Elmeir Apolinario said some 400 families inside the sports complex would have to be relocated to Masepla in Mampang village, site of a housing facility for refugees.
Apolinario said they will close the sports complex on July 16 to pave way for its renovation.
Many war victims have been relocated to other transitory sites in different areas in Zamboanga, but many were also opposing this, saying, it would be very difficult for them to continue with their livelihoods.
Most of the refugees were native Badjao who rely on fishing for their daily sustenance. They also complained that there is no electricity and water supply in the transitory sites. The local government earlier said it would clear the sport complex before the end of June, but extended this to allow the transfer of all refugees to Masepla and in Buggoc in Kasanyangan village.
“We told them that utility services like water and electricity can only be connected to the temporary shelters (at Masepla in Mampang) once there are already occupants. Otherwise, the materials will again be stolen as in the past,” Apolinario said during a recent news conference in City Hall.
Local police chief Angelito Casimiro said they have measures to secure the transitory sites, especially those near the sea and mangrove areas which could well be used as entry points of lawless elements.
Apolinario said the local government will continue to assist the refugees and that many housing facilities are now being occupied by refugees.
Rebel forces from Basilan and Sulu provinces under the command of Habier Malik, an aide of Moro National Liberation Front chieftain Nur Misuari, stormed Zamboanga on September 9, 2013 and took over 200 people hostage and used them as shield against government soldiers and policemen. More than 400 people were killed and wounded in the fighting that lasted three weeks. The battle displaced over 120,000 residents.
Misuari, who signed a peace accord with Manila in 1996, accused the Aquino government of reneging on the peal deal and launched a new rebellion, the second in more than a decade. In 2001, loyal forces of Misuari also attacked military bases in Zamboanga City and Jolo town in Sulu province and the clashes killed over 100 people.
Misuari, who fled to Malaysia after the siege failed, was arrested and jailed, but eventually released by then President Gloria Arroyo after he pledged loyalty and support to the politician. He is now at large and hiding in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao. (With a report from Amor Arcillas)
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