Zambo siege enters 2nd week; toll rises to 100 as truce falters

Church, Muslim leaders unite in call for peace

ZAMBOANGA CITY/MANILA (PinoyNews)  — Fighting between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) breakaway group and military forces has entered its second week without clear end in sight as a ceasefire brokered by Vice President Jejomar has been rejected by President Aquino who was earlier reported to have approved the initiative.
It was learned that the proposed truce was rejected because Binay was reportedly not authorized to negotiate with MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari and that the MNLF term’s for cessation of hostilities were reportedly not accpteable.

Binay said he was saddened that “his efforts to secure the release of the hostage in Zamboanga City did not prosper”.
“Both the MNLF and the Philippine government wanted peace. But there were terms set that were not acceptable,” Binay  added.
As this developed, Catholic prelates of Mindanao joined other religious leaders — Muslims, Christians, and Lumad – in praying for peace to reign in the region.
“As leaders of our Catholic communities, we join hands with other religious leaders — Muslims, Christians, and Lumad — in praying and working for peace. Peace, yes; war, never,” said the bishops in a statement entitled, “We Want Peace, Not War.”
They noted that the country has joined Pope Francis in a Day of Prayer and Penance for World Peace, particularly in the war-torn country of Syria last Sept 7.
They said it’s time for the people to pray for our country and to have peace in Mindanao.
“Now we also offer our prayers for peace in Mindanao. The theme of the coming Mindanao Week of Peace best sums up our aspirations: “Dialogue and Hope are the Key to Peace.”
“Much as we would welcome a ceasefire, Misuari’s forces have not stopped firing at our soldiers and civilians,” Secretary Ricky Carandang of President Aquino’s communications bureau said,
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, on the other hand, was quoted as saying that the ceasefire agreement “has never been implemented. Firing continues until now.”
The head of the Zamboanga Crisis Management Committee (CMC), Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, reportedly gave the green-light to start assaulting MNLF positions after the rebels supposedly fired  mortars towards civilian positions.
“To all barangay officials help defend your communities and coordinate with the police and military. Set-up early warning system and report sightings,” Climaco Salazar ordered. “I want it finished today. We do not want them to get out scott-free. We do not want them to leave with a free pass.”
Some 200 MNLF rebels converged in Zamboanga City last week to hold what they called as a peaceful rally that will include raising the flag of the Bangsa Moro Republic which Misuari and his followers have proclaimed as independent from the Philippines.
The independent Bangsa Moro Republic proclaimed by the MNLF included the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Maguindanao, Cotabato, Palawan, the three Zamboanga provinces and their component cities. Also declared part of the new state is North Borneo or Sabah to which the Sultanate of Sulu and the Philippines have territorial and historical claims.
The AFP and the Zamboanga City mayor, however, barred the MNLF rebels from marching to the city proper as they were reportedly carrying heavy firearms, thus resulting in the siege which entered its eighth day on Monday. The MNLF rebels held civilians as their hostage as they got wind of attack plans by the military.
 
Spokesmen for Misuari, lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla and Absalum Cerveza, said their men are in Zamboanga to wage a “war for independence”.
 
Armed Forces officials said that as of Monday, September 16, the death toll from both sides has climbed to more than 100 from only 59 as of the last weekend as the clash intensified.  
AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said that at least three soldiers and six policemen were among those dead in the clash.
Zagala said at least 19 MNLF rebels have been captured or have surrendered.
“Our operations are still ongoing and our forces are gaining ground and we are pushing ground. A lot of positive things have happened which I cannot yet say for the moment,” Zagala stressed on Monday.
The AFP public affairs office chief estimated that the remaining MNLF forces were only 100 as of noon on Monday but declined to give the latter’s position but as this could compromise ongoing military operations.
He attributes the decrease to the MNLF numbers to serious casualties inflicted by the government.
The MNLF force was initially placed at 180 to 200.
Zagala also refused to give an exact timetable on when the operations will be finished or concluded.
Around 180 hostages are still at the hands of the MNLF, he added.
At least 50 soldiers and policemen have been wounded during the siege.
Zagala added that while the military wants a peaceful solution, it cannot agree if the MNLF continues to fire their guns.
Zagala also reiterated the AFP’s appeal to civilians to “stay out of the danger zone.”
 
As this developed, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 9 director Adriano Fuego placed the number of evacuees due to the crisis at 10,950 families which is equivalent 58,051 persons. The military held forced evacuation in several areas as fighting intensified.
The affected persons were being sheltered in 22 evacuation centers. Around 25,500 food packs from the Red Cross have already been distributed to them.
While the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 9 has distributed P1,945,210 worth of food with the Zamboanga City government giving P1.33 million of assorted relief aid. 
Several houses have been burned during the siege as the rebels resorted to setting places on fire to possibly divert attention of the military.
As of Monday, the rebels were reportedly shooting even at high-rise buildings in the area.
Before the assault, Vice President Binay announced that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Misuari had agreed to a ceasefire to pave the way for negotiations.
MNLF forces were reportedly demanding a safe passage back to their original positions. But while both parties were preparing for negotiations, MNLF forces were reported to have fired mortars on government and civilian positions.
On Friday, President Benigno Aquino III rushed to the city to personally assess the situation. He was met there by Gazmin, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Interior Sec. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, among others.
On September 9, MNLF forces led by their commander, Habier Malik, attacked Zamboanga by assaulting the Barangays of Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Riohondo, Talontalon, and Mampang.
Vice President Binay said President Benigno S. Aquino III gave the approval to talk to Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari for a possible peaceful settlement of the conflict in Zamboanga city.
In an interview with GMA News TV, Binay said he talked to the President about the talks Wednesday evening.
“Si Pangulong Noynoy naman, Miyerkules pa ng gabi, sinabihan ko na siya na nakausap ko ‘yong mga tauhan ni Chairman Nur na pag-usapan namin ‘yong peaceful settlement. No’ng Miyerkules pa lang ‘yon.”
“So Miyerkules, nag-usap kami ni Pangulo. In fact, I was thankful to the President, sabi niya, ‘mag-iingat ka naman. Ikaw ay Vice President’,” Binay said.
 Binay said his participation was merely to advise the President on options to end the conflict and secure the release of civilian hostages.
“Ako kaya lang naman ako nag-advise para magkaroon ng pagkakataon na maisave natin at malagay natin sa safety ang mga hostages. Kasi the fact is may mga hostages at may mga civilians who can be caught in the crossfire—who might die or get injured. Yun ang primary intention ko dun. Liliwanagin ko lang na ni minsan di ko naisip na ako ang magdesisyon dahil ang desisyon ay gagawin ni Pangulo at ni Chairman Nur.
He said he was sad that the ceasefire agreement he brokered Friday evening did not hold.
The Vice President also said that he called up Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin Thursday to inform him of his discussions with the President. He added that he did not yet involve himself after he was told by Gazmin that there were ongoing talks between Zamboanga City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar and MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari.
Binay decided to talk to Misuari after news reports that the negiotiations bogged down. 
“Sabi ko kay Chairman Nur, ‘okay pa bang pag-usapan ‘yong peaceful settlement?’ Sabi niya, ‘okay, by all means.’ Sabi ko, ‘o, sige, tatawag ako kay Secretary Gazmin,’ which I did. Sabi ni Secretary Gazmin, ‘ako okay ako sa lahat ng desire to have a peaceful settlement.’”