AT ZAMBO BATTLE ZONE -- Rangers retrieve 42 bodies

From the Visayan Daily Star (Sep 28): AT ZAMBO BATTLE ZONE -- Rangers retrieve 42 bodies

Elite troopers of the Negros-based 1st Scout Ranger Battalion of the Army have finally taken control of the remaining houses used as strongholds by the Moro National Liberation Front in Brgy. Santa Catalina, Zamboanga City.

This was after more than two weeks of intense fighting, where 42 bodies had been accounted for, its commander, Lt. Col. Oriel Pangcog, said yesterday.

The 1st SRB and the United States–trained Light Reaction Company of the Special Operations Command, spearheaded the clearing of Brgy. Santa Catalina, that used to be occupied by about 400 MNLF- Nur Misuari faction fighters headed by Habier Malik.

Pangcog said yesterday that they hoisted the Philippine flag on the highest building there on Thursday, while clearing the area of MNLF fighters.

“As of yesterday, we have accounted for 42 bodies, some of them already in an advanced state of decomposition,” he told the DAILY STAR.

Pangcog, however, said they have yet to account for Malik.

With so many decomposing bodies, he said, he has requested gas masks for his troops, who are still in clearing operations. Not a single shot, had been heard in the area since Thursday night, Pangcog added.

On Wednesday, 31 MNLF fighters, including two commanders, surrendered to the 1st SRB.

In more than two weeks of fighting, Pangcog said they recovered more than 70 high-powered firearms, including an 81mm artillery mortar that fires high-explosive projectiles.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines reported that 166 MNLF fighters had been killed, including those whose bodies littered the battle zone.

The Negros-based elite Scout Rangers are supported by the 44th and 32nd Infantry Battalions of the 1st Infantry Division, Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police, 9th Regional Public Safety Battalion, Philippine Navy and Air Force units, among others.

About 120 men of the 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion from Negros Occidental have also been dispatched by the Police Regional Office 6 to Zamboanga City.

The gunbattles being fought day and night by the elite Scout Ranger troopers from Negros, have cost them the lives of two colleagues and injuries to 42 others.

Misuari's followers are being blamed for the crisis in Zamboanga when they engaged government in a stand-off on Sept. 9 by taking civilians hostage.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/September/28/topstory5.htm