Thirteen days ago or on
September 9, 2013, to be precise at 5:30 AM,the people of Zamboanga were
disturbed with the rapid exchange of fire.
At first,they were unaware of current developments elsewhere in the city,
particularly in Sta. Barbara, though the feeling of terror has started to come
up due to the persistent sound of gunfire.
By 6:00am, sketchy reports
were coming in from several sources, both civilian and government forces, that
Zamboanga City was encountering a kind of aggression from an unknown group. As
the day was developing, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) through their
commanders allowed media interview, claimed, they are here for a Peace Rally,
the pronouncements however and their very presence in Zamboanga City,
encountered fierce reactions from peace loving inhabitants of Zamboanga.
Still
in disbelief, after years of tranquility, the unthinkable happened.
Thrust into a situation, the
City government, together with, the Military and Police have no recourse but to
fight fire with fire to pacify residents, and to show that the government is
addressing the problem. Loud explosions and gun fires can be heard all over the
city, especially during the night and throughout the day.
The Joint Police and
military campaign in the last few days are bringing in good results in their
theater of operation, but the destruction as a result of this siege is
extensive and may take years to rehabilitate.
Casualty report, as of September 22, 2013:
|
Government Side
|
Killed in Action
|
Wounded in Action
|
Total
|
|
|
PNP
|
3
|
13
|
13
|
|
|
AFP
|
11
|
129
|
140
|
|
|
MNLF Side
|
Number Killed
|
Number Arrested
|
Number Surrendered
|
Total
|
|
|
82
|
95
|
49
|
226
|
|
Civilian Side
|
Killed
|
Wounded
|
Total
|
|
|
11
|
70
|
81
|
The figures above represent,
the number of casualties so far, not to mention the more than 126,147 evacuees
and still counting, scattered temporarily in thirty (30) evacuation centers around
the city.
During interrogation
recently conducted by the PNP to those who surrendered, particularly the Yakan
MNLF members, specifically coming from Basilan, they consistently maintained that they
were here for a “Peace Rally”, and Php 10,000.00 will be given to them after the peace rally for these purposes.
Thus, explains
why they agreed to travel with Commander Habier Malik to Zamboanga City and
they even sold almost all of their
belongings in order to have funds to defray their expenses.
But what actually happened
when they arrived here, shocked their senses, for instead of a “peace Rally”, they
were surprisingly issued high-powered firearms.
Confused of their predicament
and being now caught in the middle , they also fought with the government
forces as they felt that they have no more choice and join what was clearly
now, an attack on Zamboanga City.
However, as they were firing their guns, a
realization of the consequences of the attack and its futility as well as the
deception employed by Malik has come upon them.
They have decided to stop the
fight and cease fire, unfortunately, repeated attempts by the Yakan group, to
contact the government and state their opposition to Malik’s action, and failed,
as the fighting in many fronts advanced rapidly.
Given no choice, they decided
to escape, as that was the only option left for them, to break away from the
real attackers.
Their insistence to return to Basilan and refusal to obey
orders from Malik to continue the fight ignited his anger.
The yakan group who
were greatly dismayed of the situation and of their being deceived,tried to escape , but they
were prevented by the men of Malik and their attempt to escape failed . Malik
subsequently ordered his men to disarm the Yakan group and two of them were killed.
The extent of destruction,
to both the human life and property may not be conclusive at this time, but we
are confident of victory as we await the last nail in the coffin.
We do not desire a
recurrence in the future, so we beg the general public to be extra vigilant in
their surroundings and to report to the proper authorities of any unusual or
suspicious activities in their areas or wherever they may be, to prevent a
repeat of the recent events and contribute to the peace and order of Zamboangacity. --RPIO9.
