Talks with MNLF only after 'unconditional release' of hostages - Roxas

From InterAksyon (Sep 10): Talks with MNLF only after 'unconditional release' of hostages - Roxas

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said Tuesday the government is demanding the unconditional release of all hostages held by the Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga City should the rebels agree to negotiate with the local crisis management committee.

In a statement from his office, Roxas also said they are still checking the veracity of “feelers” from individuals offering help to negotiate for the hostages’ release.

Fighting in Zamboanga City resumed Tuesday, the second day since the government accused the MNLF of mounting attacks and Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who heads the crisis management body, said the rebels continue to hold on to 170 hostages.

Roxas and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin were dispatched to Zamboanga City by President Benigno Aquino III soon after hostilities broke out Tuesday.

“Maraming natatanggap na feelers ang ating local crisis management committee at sinabi naman ng ating mga opisyal na bukas sila sa pakikipag-usap. Ang kailangan lang alamin, may kontak ba talaga ang mga feelers na ito sa mga lider ng armadong grupo at may authority ba sila para makipag-usap (The local crisis management committee has received several feelers and our officials have said they are open to negotiations. What needs to be verified is if these feelers really are in contact with the leaders of the armed group and do they have the authority to negotiate)?” Roxas said.

“Malinaw ang posisyon ng pamahalaan: gusto nating palayain ang lahat ng mga bihag at mailigtas sa kapahamakan ang mamamayan ng Zamboanga City (The position of the administration is clear: we want all hostages freed and the residents of Zamboanga City protected from harm),” he added.

Roxas said government operations against the funmgunmen would not stop until all hostages are released.

“Malinaw ang pangunahing misyon ng pamahalaan ngayon: gawin ang lahat ng paraan para hikayatin ang armadong grupo ng MNLF na palayain ang lahat ng mga residenteng bihag nila at ginagawang ‘human shield’ laban sa operasyon ng militar at pulis (The primary mission of the government is clear: to do everything to convince the armed group of the MNLF to release all residents they have taken hostage and made into ‘human shields’ against military and police operations),” Roxas said. “Hindi titigil ang operasyon ng pamahalaan hangga’t may natitirang residente na hawak ng armadong grupong ito (The government will not halt operations as long as there are residents held by this armed group).”

He also said the government will ensure the prosecution of those responsible for the attack on Zamboanga City.

Meanwhile, Senator Nancy Binay appealed to the MNLF and government forces to allow humanitarian organizations safe passage into conflict areas to deliver aid to residents trapped in the crossfire.

“I appeal to the leadership of the MNLF, for humanitarian reasons, to allow those residing in the barangays under their control, access to food and other basic necessities,” Binay said.

She also urged the National Food Authority and the Department of Health to set up mobile centers to facilitate the distribution of rice, sugar, milk, coffee and essential medicines.

For his part, Senator Benigno Paolo Aquino IV condemned the violence in the southern city, saying it “is not the way forward."

"We condemn violence in all its forms, and we urge all citizens to reject those who intend to perpetuate violence, fear, and panic in the country,” Aquino said.

“Lahat tayo talo kung ipagpatuloy natin ang karahasan (All of us lose if the violence continues),” he said. “Bagsak ang mga negosyo, bagsak ang turismo. Taumbayan ang kawawa (Business will fall, tourism will fall. The people will suffer).”

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/70402/talks-with-mnlf-only-after-unconditional-release-of-hostages---roxas