Saying Zambo conflict over mere ‘press release’ — MNLF

From the Daily Tribune (Sep 30): Saying Zambo conflict over mere ‘press release’ — MNLF

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which laid siege to Zamboanga City merely laughed off the government’s declaration of “mission accomplished” marking the end of the 20-day conflict.

Lawyer Emmanuel Fontanilla, spokesman of the MNLF faction of the rebel group’s chairman Nur Misuari, said MNLF fighters are still in Zamboanga City as he branded the declaration made by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II as a press release.

“That’s a lie. Pogi (Brownie) points,” said Fontanilla.

“The MNLF repositioned in peripheral barangays and the government stopped attacking, hence the lull in the conflict,” added Fontanilla.

He claimed the MNLF fighters, led by Ustadz Habier Malik, can still put up a fight if the government attacks.

Fontanilla also dismissed claims of “mission accomplished” by the government in Zamboanga City. He particularly cited the government’s uncertainty on Malik and the huge destruction in the city as a result of the 20-day confict. He accused government troops of perpetrating the fire incidents in the affected barangays.

“AFP’s target mission is to get Habier Malik, if they fail, the mission is not accomplished,” Fontanilla added.

Fontanilla stressed that Malik is very much alive. “He is safe,” he said.

“Over 200 men against three battalions of government troops with fresh reinforcement, supply and combined PNP, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army –were able to inflict over a battalion-sized KIA (killed in action) and collateral damage requiring P3.9 billion to rehabilitate Zamboanga, where is victory there?,” he added.

More than 200 followers of Misuari attempted to raise the MNLF flag at the Zamboanga City Hall last September 9 but were prevented by government security forces, sparking the siege of at least five barangays.

The MNLF fighters took around 200 civilians as hostages and used them as human shields in fighting with government forces.

The 20-day conflict resulted in the killing of 189 MNLF fighters, 18 soldiers, including three junior officers, five policemen and 12 civilians.

More than 10,000 residential structures went up in smoke, displacing more than 100,000 residents.

The government’s claim also appeared premature without the arrest of Misuari and uncertainty on what happened to Malik, who led the siege.

Roxas, in a statement, declared Zamboanga City liberated from the hands of about 300 MNLF followers of Misuari, led by Ustadz Habier Malik despite initially the government reported that it had contained the just 100 MNLF fighters that marched into the city on Sept. 9.

“We can say for certain: The siege of Zamboanga is over. Zamboanga is again free,” declared Roxas.

The DILG chief cited the combined efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in engaging about 300 fully-armed followers of Misuari in 20-day sporadic clashes in the heart of Zamboanga City.

“The mission is a success. The fighting is over in Zamboanga,” Roxas said.

Roxas said a total of 195 hostages were safely rescued by government security forces during 20-day calibrated response against the MNLF followers of Misuari.

The Zamboanga City conflict started last Sept. 9 when followers of Misuari occupied at least six barangays and took about 200 civilians as hostages.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, echoed Roxas pronouncements, saying efforts in Zamboanga City are now law enforcement and clearing operation with the PNP as lead.

However, Zagala stressed that the military troops will remain in the area in support to the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF).

“The PNP is the lead to clear and there is some legal aspects to it. We are in the war fighting but since there is no more war, we are just in support to them (PNP). It becomes a law enforcement problem but the full force of the AFP is still there,” Zagala said.

Zagala said that government security forces were given two weeks to complete the clearing of the affected barangays Sta. Barabara, Sta. Catalina, Talon-Talon, Mariki, Rio Hondo and Mampang.

Focus of the ongoing operation are stragglers and unexploded ordnances, like grenades and mortar shells.

According to Zagala, the military’s primary mission of rescuing the hostages and removing the threat posed by MNLF fighters were completed.

“It is safe to say that AFP has already completed its mission,” said Zagala.

However, Zagala admitted that authorities are still uncertain about what happened to Malik but expressed belief that the MNLF leader is still in Zamboanga City.

Zagala said they are not discounting the possibility that Malik was killed during the conflict or has escaped.

“You have to consider all avenues. But right now he has no more command and control, majority of his fighters are already dead or captured…, he vowed to die here.

Let’s say he escaped, he made a pronouncement that he vowed to die here, so why didn’t he die here if he escaped,” said Zagala.

“We believe that he is still here because first he vowed that he will die here and…actually we are looking at some possibilities but I cannot reveal at the moment…we believe that he never left,” Zagala said.

Zagala also stressed that Malik is only one of the five MNLF commanders that led the siege – four of them neutralized except for Malik.

MNLF commanders Esmael Dasta and a certain Haider were killed during the conflict, while Enir Misuari, a nephew of Misuari, was captured and one commander Ugong surrendered.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/headlines/item/19692-saying-zambo-conflict-over-mere-press-release-mnlf