Is Zambo crisis really over? Palace says yes, but...

From ABS-CBN (Sep 29): Is Zambo crisis really over? Palace says yes, but...

Malacanang admitted the Zamboanga City crisis is not completely over.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) chief Ricky Carandang admitted that "there are still clearing operations ongoing and it’s not really back to normal.”

“It’s not completely over yet. [But] what we’ve done here is that we’ve degraded the ability of [the Moro National Liberation Front faction led by Nur Misuari] to create these kinds of situation,” Carandang said In an interview with radio dzRB.

He insisted that the government and the forces on the ground have dealt the Misuari situation with a heavy blow.

The crisis began when the faction of Misuari laid siege in Zamboanga City last September 9.

On Saturday, Malacanang announced via deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte that the crisis is over.

"Our task from Day 1 is to ensure the safety of the hostages that were taken...as well as to get civilians out of harm's way and that has already been accomplished," she said.

The government has yet to pinpoint the whereabouts of Habier Malik, Misuari’s top aide.

Carandang took note, however, that the government has already filed rebellion charges against him and the others. The Department of Justice is also set to file the same against Misuari.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/29/13/zambo-crisis-really-over-palace-says-yes