Surrendered Yakan members of the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF) told police investigators during tactical
interrogations that they are innocent and unaware of the plan of Ustadz Habier
Malik in carrying out violent atrocities in the city on the day the standoff
broke out on September 9.
A press statement issued by Police Regional
Director Chief Supt. Juanito Vaño which was released by Police Regional
Information Officer Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca disclosed that during
interrogations, the Yakan MNLF members, specifically coming from Basilan,
consistently maintain that they came here for a “peace rally”, and they were
promised P10,000 each by Malik after the rally.
The press statement said the Yakan MNLFs agreed
to travel with Commander Malik to Zamboanga
City
But the Yakan MNLF members told the police that
they were surprised to what has actually happened when they arrived here,
shocked with their senses, for instead of a “peace Rally”, they were issued
high-powered firearms.
Confused of their predicament and being caught in
the middle, the Basilan based MNLFs also fought the government forces as
they felt that they have no more choice and joined what was clearly now, an
attack on Zamboanga City, the PRO9 press statement said.
However, as they were firing their guns, a
realization of the consequences of the attack and its futility as well as the
deception employed by Malik have come upon them.
“They have decided to stop the fight and cease
firing, unfortunately, repeated attempts by the Yakan group, to contact the
government and state their opposition to Malik’s action, had failed, as the
fighting in many fronts advanced rapidly,” a police official said.
Given no choice, they (Yakan MNLFs) decided to
escape, as they believe that it was the only option left for them, to break
away from the real attackers, according to the police.
Their insistence to return to Basilan and refusal
to obey orders from Malik to continue the fight ignited his anger, the Yakan
MNLFs said..
The Yakan group, greatly dismayed of the
situation and of their having been deceived, tried to escape , but they were
prevented by men of Malik and their attempt to escape failed .
Police said that at this point, Malik
subsequently ordered his men to disarm the Yakan group and two of them were
shot and killed amid the gunfight with government troops.
“The extent of destruction, to both human lives
and properties may not be conclusive at this time, but we are confident of
victory as we await the last nail in the coffin,” Vaño said.
“We do not desire a recurrence in the future, so
we beg the general public to be extra vigilant in their surroundings and to
report to the proper authorities of any unusual or suspicious activities in
their areas or wherever they may be, to prevent a repeat of the recent events
and contribute to the peace and order of Zamboanga City,” Vaño appealed.
http://zamboangatimes.ph/zamboangatimes/top-news/8607-yakan-mnlfs-forced-by-malik-to-join-firefight-2-killed-for-not-obeying-order.html
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