From the Philippine Star (Mar 17): Zambo also blames MNLF over deaths in evacuation camps
The city government is also blaming the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) renegade rebels that held hostage residents, triggering a standoff with military troops, for the growing number of deaths in the evacuation center.
Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar blamed the followers of fugitive MNLF chairman Nur Misuari on the dire condition of thousands of residents who were forced to evacuate from at least five barangays during the September 9 MNLF attack, which was part of its attempt to declare independence.
“[These deaths] should also be...included in the listing of dead as a consequence of their attack in the city,” Salazar told newsmen in her briefing.
Over 120,000 people were evacuated during the 23-day period of standoff between the government forces and the MNLF rebels loyal to Misuari.
The City Health Office (CHO) reported that the death toll in the evacuation camp at Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex (JFEMSC) has breached the 100 mark.
City Health Officer Dr. Rodelyn Agbulos said since September up to this month they have listed 101 mortalities in the evacuation camp.
He said around 41 percent of those who died were aged fived-year old and below, and the rest were five years old and above. Most of the fatalities were females.
Agbulos said the major causes of death were pneumonia, acute respiratory infection, and hypertension. Cases of tuberculosis and dengue were also reported inside the camps.
The health officer said they are continueing the monitoring of cases of acute malnourishment and deworming.
Agbulos said they have also embarked on a massive medical assistance to prevent diseases in the evacuation camps.
http://www.philstar.com/nation/2014/03/17/1301951/zambo-also-blames-mnlf-over-deaths-evacuation-camps
Every single death that has occurred in a refugee camp is the direct responsibility of Nur Misuari and those Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commanders that launched the clandestine assault against the citizens of Zamboanga City. It there were no MNLF attack then there would be no refugees, no refugee camps and an no refugee deaths.
ReplyDeleteWhat is particularly odious is that the Facebook page of Nur Misuari and several other pro-MNLF Internet sites are maintaining a refugee "death count" in an attempt to discredit Zamboanga City authorities while ignoring the direct responsibility of Misuari and the MNLF for those deaths. it is the height of hypocrisy. Misuari and his commanders should be held accountable for each and every one of the refugee camp deaths.