Soldier killed
Earlier Monday, a soldier was killed, while at least six others were wounded, during a clash between the armed forces and suspected MNLF gunmen before dawn in Zamboanga City.
Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines public information office, said the encounter occurred off the coast of Rio Hondo in Zamboanga City.
Citing initial reports, Zagala said the encounter involved suspected MNLF fighters and the Navy's Special Operations Group.
"'Yung malungkot, may isang kasundaluhan na namatay at may mga wounded," he said over dzBB radio.
Meanwhile, Maj. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the Philippine Army's 7th Civil Relations Group, said the firefight occurred at 1:45 a.m.
"Let's offer a minute (of) prayer for the fallen soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country," Cabunoc said on his Twitter account.
100 armed followers
Initial reports from the military said some "100 more or less" armed followers of Misuari were involved in the encounter.
Habib Hasim, chairman of the Islamic Command Council, confirmed that Misuari's group entered Zamboanga City as of 4 a.m. on Monday.
"Ngayon nandito na sila, nagkaroon na ng exchange of fire in some areas of Zamboanga City. Hindi naman lahat. Nandito sa Sta. Barbara, sa Tugbungan at doon sa Rio Hondo this morning," he told GMA News' Mariz Umali in a telephone interview on GMA News TV.
Hasim explained that they were not part of the group that attacked Zamboanga City, and were in fact taken by surprise.
"Gusto kong sabihin sa inyo na itong sumalakay ay exclusive sa grupo ni brother Nur Misuari, ang chairman ng MNLF, hindi kasama ang grupo namin na sumalakay dito," he said, adding that the attack may have been in connection with the signing of the Bangsamoro framework agreement.
The Aquino administration is in the final stages of negotiations for a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which is expected to result in a Bangsamoro Political Entity that will replace theAutonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Some members of the MNLF, where the MILF came from, have expressed dismay over the framework agreement. "Talagang nagkakaroon ng hinanakit ang MNLF headed by Nur Misuari," said Hasim, who noted the attack could be part of the plan following Misuari's declaration of independence in Talipao, Sulu on August 12.
The MNLF believe the framework agreement is tantamount to an abrogation of the 1996 peace agreement.
"Isa ito sa mga reasons bakit nagpakita ng puwersa ang MNLF at sinalakay ang Zamboanga City," Hasim said.
Asked if they could intervene in the hostage situation, Salamat said it was difficult to contact the group.
"Ginagawan namin ng paraan pero sa ngayon, matindi pa ang labanan, mahirap ma contact. Sa ngayon mga grupo namin in the area pinagpinayuhan namin na huwag lumabas ng bahay at huwag sasali kasi hindi ito kasunduan ng dalawang grupo," he said.
Hasim also called on those in the city to stay in their homes.
"Panawagan ko lang at this point in time, sa mga MNLF maging non-MNLF, kasi matindi ang labanan dito sa some barangays in Zamboanga City, dapat doon lang sila sa bahay nila, huwag silang lumabas para hindi madamay sa ongoing labanan between the government and MNLF forces," he said on News to Go.
Hasim also condemned the hostage-taking. "I would like to appeal to those mga kapatid naming MNLF dito sa Zamboanga City, dapat pakawalan na ninyo yung mga hostages, mga civilian, walang pakialam 'yan. Kawawa naman napadamay," he said.
However, Hasim said Misuari's group is separate from the Islamic Command Council. "He has his own command, he is responsible for the action of his men, mga MNLF under him. We have are own, and at this point in time we are still for the peace process," Hasim said.
He emphasized that the peace talks between the government and the MNLF were not yet over, with the Tripartite Implementation Review of the government-MNLF 1996 peace agreement scheduled this month. "As far as the 1996 peace agreement, sabi ng gobyerno hindi naman scrapped o abrogated. Nandoon pa rin," he said.
An earlier dzBB report said the encounter started at 1 a.m. when the Misuari gunmen approached the city via the coastal village of Mariki.
The fighters exchanged gunfire with Navy personnel and members of Task Force Zamboanga. At least one suspected Misuari fighter was reported wounded in the shootout.
According to Western Mindanao Command spokesman Maj. Franco Alano, at least 60 armed men believed to be MNLF members swooped down at Rio Hondo around 1:30 a.m.
"We are at the outer perimeter at present. It's hard to use the military in an urban center, there might be collateral damages. Our men are used to mountains so we're letting the police handle the situation," Alano said, adding that they have yet to confirm if Misuari is really involved.
Residents in Mariki, Sta. Barbara and Rio Hondo villages were evacuated because of the clashes. Businesses were also closed and classes were suspended in the city, radio dzBB's correspondent JV Francisco reported.
Following the encounter, security was tightened in the city, with military and police personnel establishing security checkpoints.
The city government is to convene its crisis management council Monday morning.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=75346.0
