Mayor Beng wants full force of law applied on erring MNLF members

From the Zamboanga Today (Jan 9): Mayor Beng wants full force of law applied on erring MNLF members

Mayor Beng Climaco on Friday urged police and military authorities to exercise the full force of the law on any individual or member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who violates existing laws or attempts to disrupt the peace in the city.

Standing firm in her policy to protect the residents from harm, the mayor said authorities are directed to stay extra vigilant against any and all violations that may be committed by the travelling members of the MNLF who are enroute to Sulu for a supposed assembly. “Strictly enforce the law on any erring individual to protect Zamboanga City.”

The chief executive Thursday immediately brought to the attention of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles about the presence in Zamobanga of several persons allegedly on their way to Sulu to attend an assembly of more or less 5,000 members of the MNLF. 

“This matter was not coordinated with the City Government of Zamboanga nor with the local police”, the mayor told Deles in her letter as she expressed apprehensions over the peace and tranquillity of the city given the devastating MNLF siege in September 2013.

Mayor Climaco inquired if the assembly of the MNLF members in Sulu was coordinated with the OPAPP saying that “we seek your immediate guidance as we may be compelled to disperse any assembly of persons that will converge in and threaten peace and order in the city.”

Meanwhile, police and military authorities back Mayor Climaco’s policy and are on guard against any infringements of the law.

City Police Director PSSupt. Angelito Casimiro said the MNLF members intercepted Thursday were profiled and escorted to the wharf on their way to Sulu, per instructions of the mayor.

The said individuals were unarmed and not wearing uniform, thus cannot be charged nor restricted to travel as it is part of their civil liberties.

http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/top-stories/22168-mayor-beng-wants-full-force-of-law-applied-on-erring-mnlf-members.html