Government troops wearing gas masks against the stench of dead bodies maneuver against MNLF rebels still holed out in Zamboanga City. (photo by Frederick Alvarez, AFP)
Authorities on Friday reported the arrest of six more fighters of the Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), but the ground commander of the 19-day siege of Zamboanga City, Habier Malik, is still nowhere to be found as fighting resumed.
Malik is still inside the “constriction” area, per the military's assessment, amid reports that the rebel leader had escaped to Sulu.
The six MNLF fighters were arrested during close-quarter-battle with government forces in Barangay Sta. Barbara, a day after public affairs head Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala reported the capture of 45 MNLF fighters in Barangay Sta. Catalina.
A woman MNLF commander from Zamboanga Sibugay, 69-year-old Misba Baladji, was among those arrested.
Baladji said they surrendered because they had sustained a lot of injuries and because of hunger. She claimed they were promised by Misuari P15,000 each to fight for their “independence” in Zamboanga.
As fighting rages, reports said elite forces from the Army and Philippine National Police (PNP) recaptured Friday morning the Sumatra area in Barangay Talon-Talon and some parts of the “constricted” areas in Barangay Sta. Catalina, particularly Lustre Street.
Helicopter gunships of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) continue to unleash rockets and machinegun fires on the mangrove where some MNLF rebels took refuge and continue their resistance in Barangay Talon-Talon.
Reports said the MNLF continues to burn more houses, buildings and structures in the affected villages, from where over 100,000 people have fled since the siege began at dawn of Sept. 9.
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/71621/day-19-more-mnlf-men-captured-but-still-no-trace-of-malik
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.