AFP tells civilians not to go home yet while clearing operations are ongoing

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 29): AFP tells civilians not to go home yet while clearing operations are ongoing
 
Despite the defeat of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters in Zamboanga City, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) urged residents of conflict-affected areas not to return to their homes yet while clearing operations are ongoing.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP public affairs office chief, said that there may still be unexploded ordnance as well as a possible health issue stemming from the decomposing bodies of fatalities.

"We are discouraging residents from returning to their homes at this time," Zagala said.

On Saturday, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the crisis is over, following 20 days of fighting between government forces and MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari's followers.

He said the next stage is to clear the conflict-hit areas of possible booby traps and explosives.

Zagala said they expect the process to be "very tedious" because there is much debris.

"We have to look carefully under the rubble, in the houses. We are looking at a 30- to 40-hectare stretch of rubble," he said.

Zagala stressed that they are doing their best to meet the two-week deadline to complete the clearing operations.

He added the Philippine National Police will take the lead in the clearing operations.

"They have to lead not necessarily because this is considered a crime scene," he said.

On the other hand, he said the AFP is not pulling out its forces.

"We are thousands here and we will continue to finish the clearing together," Zagala emphasized.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=570890