'Ceasefire' in Zamboanga doesn't last the night; 49 killed as MNLF, AFP renew hostilities

From InterAksyon (Sep 14): 'Ceasefire' in Zamboanga doesn't last the night; 49 killed as MNLF, AFP renew hostilities

Government forces on Saturday renewed their assault on Nur Misuari's armed MNLF followers in Zamboanga as a reported ceasefire agreement appeared to have been broken by the rebels just a few hours after its announcement by Vice President Jejomar Binay. Mortar launches and the sound of gunfire were reported in the city, which has now been shut down for almost a week.

"Much as we would welcome a ceasefire, Misuari's forces have not stopped firing at our soldiers and civilians," Sec. Ricky Carandang of President Aquino's communications bureau said on Twitter.

The Twitter account of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, meanwhile, in a post at 8:53 a.m. Saturday, quoted Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin as saying that the ceasefire agreement "has never been implemented. Firing continues until now."

The head of the Zamboanga Crisis Management Committee (CMC), City Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, reportedly gave the green-light to start assaulting MNLF positions after the rebels supposedly fired  mortars towards civilian positions.

"To all barangay officials help defend your communities and coordinate with the police and military. Set-up early warning system and report sightings," Climaco Salazar ordered. "I want it finished today. We do not want them to get out scot-free. We do not want them to leave with a free pass."

According to Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, head of the miltiary's public affairs office, the military's first salvo killed at least 23 MNLF rebels. By 7 a.m. of Saturday, Zagala said a total of 43 MNLF rebels had been killed. Another 19 had either surrendered or had been captured.

"We call on the public to stay out of the danger zone," Zagala said as more troops were storming MNLF positions. On the government side, he said 5 soldiers were killed and 46 others were wounded.

Before the assault, Vice President Binay announced that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Misuari had agreed to a ceasefire to pave the way for negotiations.

MNLF forces were reportedly demanding a safe passage back to their original positions. But while both parties were preparing for negotiations, MNLF forces were reported to have fired mortars on government and civilian positions.

On Friday, President Benigno Aquino III rushed to the city to personally assess the situation. He was met there by Gazmin, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Interior Sec. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II, among others.

On September 9, MNLF forces led by their commander, Habier Malik, attacked Zamboanga by assaulting the Barangays of Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Riohondo, Talontalon, and Mampang.

The rebels took civilian hostages as "human shields" from advancing government forces.  

Spokesmen for Misuari, lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla and Absalum Cerveza, said their men are in Zamboanga to wage a "war for independence".

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/70688/ceasefire-in-zamboanga-doesnt-last-the-night-49-killed-as-mnlf-afp-renew-hostilities