Troops clear almost 50 percent of ‘critical areas’ in Zambo

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 12): Troops clear almost 50 percent of ‘critical areas’ in Zambo
 
The government security forces have already cleared almost 50 percent of the “critical areas” in this city.

The critical areas include the adjoining barangays of Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, and Rio Hondo, since these were the sites of the heavy fighting during the standoff.

Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca disclosed that at least 1,756 structures were cleared since Day 1 of the clearing operations until Friday, October 11.

The clearing operations started September 29, a day after the standoff was declared over.

The standoff started September 9 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels infiltrated this city.

Huesca said the clearing teams have recovered a total of 338 unexploded munitions and 17 assorted high-power firearms during the clearing operations.

Huesca said that they have also recovered and processed through the Police Crime Laboratory a total of 158 cadavers since the first day of the standoff.

He disclosed that 46 of the 158 cadavers were recovered since the start of the clearing operations.

He said three--one rebel and two civilians--of the 46 cadavers were females.

The clearing operations is to ensure the safe return of the residents to their respective places.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=575737