DAY 12 | 2 civilians caught in crossfire as fighting resumes in Zambo

From InterAksyon (Sep 19): DAY 12 | 2 civilians caught in crossfire as fighting resumes in Zambo

Two civilians were wounded by stray bullets as fighting continued Friday, the 12th day of the deadly standoff between security forces and fighters of the Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga City, the military said.

The fighting resumed despite President Benigno Aquino III's warning the day before for the remaining rebels to surrender "if they still value their lives."

Aquino has been in Zamboanga City since Friday.

Military public affairs chief Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said the fighting broke out around 6:35 a.m. on Lustre Street, where MNLF fighters continue to hold their ground as government troops began to clear areas held by the rebels when the crisis began September 9.

The wounded civilians were rushed to the Brent Hospital.

Authorities have yet to confirm reports the victims were among the remaining hostages still held by the MNLF.

Reports said four more hostages were rescued in the course of the firefight.

At the height of the standoff, authorities said the estimated 200 MNLF fighters held just as many hostages, using them as “human shields” to ward off government assaults.

Many residents had also been trapped in their homes, unable to flee for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

On Thursday, Human Rights Watch slammed both the government and the rebels for what it called violations of international law.

The rights watchdog took the rebels to task for taking hostages but also indicated that a number of civilian casualties appeared to have been caused by government troops who continued shooting even when the hostages were in their line of fire.

Since government forces began taking back rebel-held areas, authorities say the number of hostages has gone down to around 20 while only about 40 rebel holdouts remain, including their commander, Habier Malik, a trusted lieutenant of MNLF founder Nur Misuari.

The fighting has so far cost around a hundred lives and displaced more than 100,000 civilians.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/71115/day-12--2-civilians-caught-in-crossfire-as-fighting-resumes-in-zambo