The number of hostages in Zamboanga City has swelled to 300 as Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters locked government security forces in a standoff that has already resulted in the deaths of six people and the wounding of 24 others.
"Since the start of the crisis at around 4:30 a.m. today, the Zamboanga City Police Office report(ed) that six people were killed – one policemen, one Navy personnel and four civilians and 24 wounded in the course of the encounter between government troops and the rebels," said Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco in a statement.
The group was composed of loyal supporters of MNLF founder Nur Misuari, who has yet to issue a statement on his men's actions.
Citing information reaching the military, Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the MNLF fighters have taken 230 hostages in Barangay Santa Catalina, 50 in Barangay Santa Barbara, and 20 in Barangay Talon-Talon.
"One of their (MNLF) tactics is to hold hostages, for them (to) use as leverage. They're surrounded here. On the negotiation, the priority now is for the safe release of the hostages," Zagala said.
Climaco said the city government is "mobilizing all resources" to address the situation stemming from the "infiltration" of the MNLF in the city's coastal barangays, particularly Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Talon-Talon and Mampang.
At least 600 evacuees from Arena Blanco and Rio Hondo were brought to the city grandstand, and 847 at Tetuan Central School and Tetuan Parish Church, the mayor said. Several others were sheltered at the Talon-Talon National High School.
The incident has also forced in the virtual shutdown of the city, a former colonial Spanish port of nearly one million people, with classes and work suspended, and flights cancelled.
Heavily armed private security personnel as well as troops guard the airport, hotels, banks and other buildings, said an Agence France-Presse reporter on the ground.
MNLF demands
Meanwhile, a report by state-run Philippine Information Agency said the MNLF has aired three demands for the release of the hostages.
These include:
- a place for them to sleep Monday night with the hostages
- allowing them to march downtown and raise their flag
- a one-on-one talk with Mayor Climaco
Misuari, also a former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), made a renewed call last month for an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines.
"To the Philippine government, I think our message is already quite clear -- that we don't like to be part of the Philippines any more," Misuari said in his message last month.
Emergency hospital
Climaco also said the City Health Office and private hospitals are setting up an emergency hospital at the grandstand where all victims will be directed.
"Ambulances from public and private hospitals will be stationed in the area," she said.
The city has also set up a command center with City Administrator Antonio Orendain Jr. as ground supervisor sub-center. He can be reached via a hotline at 992-2385 or 992-3137.
She also said City Police OIC Director Senior Superinteintendent Chiquito Malayo and Task Force Zamboanga are designated ground commanders.
Police hotline numbers are 117/166 and 09063680749, she said.
Sabotage?
The attack came as the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a breakaway group from the MNLF, prepared to resume talks aimed at crafting a political settlement to be signed before President Benigno Aquino III leaves office in 2016.
After a much-applauded preliminary peace deal was signed last year, the remaining negotiations aim to flesh out the power-sharing terms between the national government and the MILF that is expected to head a new autonomous government, and the disarmament of its 12,000 guerrillas.
Rommel Banlaoi, executive director of the Manila security think tank Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism Research, which has extensively covered the conflict, said the action was likely designed to sabotage the peace talks.
"(MNLF leader Nur) Misuari's motive is to convey a message... (that) the signing of the peace agreement between the government and the MILF will no longer guarantee the end of war."
He added: "The fear now is Misuari could create one united front along with other threat groups against the Philippines."
Don't sensationalize
Meanwhile, Climaco appealed to the media not to sensationalize or leak sensitive information "so as not to jeopardize the operations of our authorities."
She added the city's electric cooperative has been asked to prevent power interruptions or curtailment while the situation is still unresolved.
Climaco said the city government suspended classes in all levels in both public and private schools, and suspended work in all offices.
"I am in touch with President (Benigno) Aquino (III) and the Executive Department and they are monitoring and helping us resolve this concern," she added.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/325661/news/regions/300-held-hostage-in-zambo-city-as-mnlf-fighters-lock-govt-in-standoff?ref=bannerh1
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