Lamitan City attack will not affect military focus in Zambo standoff

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 14): Lamitan City attack will not affect military focus in Zambo standoff
 
The military said the attacks in the nearby province of Basilan will not in any way affect their focus in this city where the standoff entered its sixth day Saturday.

Armed Forces information officer Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said they have contingency plan to counter any enemy diversionary attempt from the rebels amid the standoff.

Zagala’s statement came after the troops repelled on Friday a joint attack by Abu Sayyaf Group and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Lamitan City, Basilan.

“Our contingency plans and forces are ready. We were able to repel them after two hours of firefight,” Zagala said.

The attack Friday was the second. The first one was Thursday, which was also repelled.

He said they cannot however validate whether or not the Lamitan City incidents were sympathy attacks.

“The attack (Lamitan City) will not remove the momentum that we already here,” Zagala said.

The standoff started when hundreds of “Misuari-faction” of Moro National Liberation Front infiltrated early Monday in this city.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=565810