Government troops take cover behind an armored personnel carrier as they advance on MNLF positions in Zamboanga City. (photo by Erik de Castro, Reuters)
A proposed ceasefire between government forces and Moro National Liberation Front fighters in Zamboanga City that was being brokered by Vice President Jejomar Binay fell through after President Benigno Aquino III rejected down the conditions set by MNLF founder Nur Misuari.
“Yes. Ganu’n na nga (That’s it) ... hindi matutuloy (ang ceasefire dahil) walang cessation of hostility (the ceasefire won’t push through because there is no cessation of hostility),” Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado said in a phone interview.
Salgado said Binay arrived in Zamboanga City Saturday afternoon and immediately met with President Benigno Aquino III at the military’s Western Mindanao Command.
Also at the closed-door meeting were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces chief of staff General Emmanuel Bautista, Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima and Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr.
Salgado said Binay was saddened that “his efforts to secure the release of the hostages in Zamboanga City did not prosper.”
“The terms set by Chairman Nur Misuari which (were) relayed to the President were not acceptable,” he added.
Asked what Misuari’s conditions were, Salgado replied: “I am not in the position to tell you those terms.”
After the proposal for the ceasefire failed, Binay flew back to Manila early Saturday evening.
Late Friday night, Binay had announced that a ceasefire would come into effect at the stroke of midnight Saturday after he had talked to Misuari and Gazmin.
However, instead of a truce, fighting intensified on Saturday, raising the death toll on the sixth day of the standoff to 53.
“The Vice President asks everyone to pray for the safety of the hostages and for peace in Zamboanga City,” Salgado said.
The MNLF fighters are believed still holding on to scores of hostages.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/70712/ceasefire-plan-collapses-as-aquino-rejects-mnlf-conditions---binay-spokesman
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