Blasts jolt Zambo; more flights suspended

From the Manila Standard Today (Sep 11): Blasts jolt Zambo; more flights suspended

Gunfire and  explosions rocked the Zamboanga City pier on Tuesday on the second day of the standoff between government forces and the Moro National Liberation Front-Misuari faction that caused the death of six people and the wounding of 24 others.

At least 180 people were held hostage by MNLF forces while 1,500 fled their homes, according to government estimates. Classes were again suspended and businesses shuttered for the second day.

Two mortar rounds  exploded at sea  some 100 meters from the pier, prompting the Coast Guard, which has a station nearby, to order ships to transfer berth, said Commander Leo Laroya.

The Coast Guard suspended all maritime voyages in Zamboanga City while the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines retained its notice to airman (NOTAM), suspending flights to and from the city.

The NOTAM, approved by CAAP Director General William K. Hotckiss lll,  cancelled twenty four commercial flights.

PAL EXPRESS; 2P 993/994 Mla/Zamboanga/Mla, 2P 241/242  Mactan/Zamboanga/Mactan, 2P243/244 Tawi Tawi/ Zamboanga/Tawi Tawi, 2P245/246 Jolo/Zamboanga/Jolo, 2P 272/273 Davao/Zamboanga/Davao, 2P 995/996 Manila/Zamboanga/Manila and 2P 997/998 Manila/Zamboanga/Manila.
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific cancelled  eight flights: 5J 859/860 Manila/Zamboanga/Manila, 5J 851 852 Manila/Zamboanga/Manila, 5J 839/840 Zamboanga/Tawi Tawi/Zamboanga, 5J 203/204 Cebu/Cagayan de Oro/Cebu and 5J 845/844 Cagayan de Oro-Zamboanga-Cagayan de Oro.

Cebu Pacific management urged  passengers affected by the cancellations they may rebook their flights within 30 days from original departure date with no penalties, or opt for full travel refund.

Cebu pacific said at least 3,000 passengers were displaced by the flight cancellations while  PAL had lost P4 million up to P6 million in foregone service revenues.

The siege of Zamboanga unless resolved soon, might impair the country’s economic growth given that Mindanao accounts for 15% of gross domestic product, according to Bangko Sentral deputy governor Diwa Gunigundo.

The banking industry in Zamboanga City  went on a standstill after the clashes broke out, he said. “Banks are temporarily closed.”

Meanwhile, Smart Communications and Sun Cellular  put up free call stations  at the Western Mindanao State University  gym  where more than 500 patients  of the Zamboanga Medical Center were transferred.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/09/11/blasts-jolt-zambo-more-flights-suspended/