Government forces in Zamboanga City on Friday afternoon stormed an area believed to be the hiding place of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander Habier Malik, according to Jun Veneracion's report on GMA News TV.
Veneracion reported that state troops were exchanging shots with MNLF rebels in the coastal village of Kasanyangan.
He said soldiers surrounded the village as it is a possible escape route for MNLF rebels fleeing the city.
Meanwhile, in an interview aired on GMA News TV's Flash Report, military
information chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said troops continue to hunt down the
remaining MNLF gunmen in clearing operations in several "areas of interest" in
Zamboanga City.
Zagala, however, refused to identify these "areas of interest."
An earlier report said military forces believe Malik was wounded during military operations two days ago.
Zagala, however, refused to identify these "areas of interest."
"Alam natin na kakaunti na lang ang bala nila, wala na silang pagkain at
ang will to fight nila ay diminished na, so hanggang hindi natin sila
natatanggal lahat ay patuloy po ang ating operations," Zagala said.
An earlier report said military forces believe Malik was wounded during military operations two days ago.
In a report by dzBB correspondent Glenn Juego on GMA News TV's Balitanghali, Philippine Army 7th Civil Relations Group commander Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said at a press conference that Malik sustained wounds during an encounter in Sta. Catalina village.
No surrender
Signs of surrender from Malik, however, became bleaker as the bloody Zamboanga crisis reached its 19th day.
The MNLF spokesman for the Misuari faction, Reverend Absalom Cerveza, said
on Friday morning during GMA News TV's News to Go report that he received a text
message from Malik
saying they are ready for whatever fate awaits them in Zamboanga City.
Nearing its end
Cabunoc said the military is confident the conflict in Zamboanga City is nearing its end with Wednesday's surrender of 36 MNLF fighters including Ener Misuari, reportedly the nephew of founding MNLF chairman Nur Misuari.
Cabunoc said 126 rebels have died while 128 of them have been captured since the conflict in Zamboanga City began on September 9. A total of 148 rebels, meanwhile, have surrendered to the military.
According to the AFP, 18 of its soldiers have died in the clashes while 167 others were wounded. The conflict has also resulted in 12 civilian fatalities with almost 120,000 families displaced from their homes.
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/328412/news/regions/soldiers-swoop-down-on-suspected-malik-hideout-in-zambo-city?ref=bannerh1
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