Death toll from Zamboanga City crisis now at 53

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday said the death toll from hostilities between government troops and Moro National Liberation Front fighters in Zamboanga City was already at 53 and some 70 others were wounded as of Saturday afternoon.

Major Angelo Guzman, deputy chief at AFP Public Affairs Office, told reporters that so far, six government forces (three soldiers and three police officials), 43 MNLF men and four civilians have been killed as the armed confrontation entered its 6th day.

Also, he said that a total of 41 government troops and 20 civilians have been wounded since the rebels attack some part of the city before dawn Monday, and that 19 insurgents were captured during clashes on Saturday.

The latest figures provided by AFP included the firefight at about 1:04 a.m. Saturday in Brgy. Kasanyangan.
 
The encounter resulted in the death of four rebels and recovery of one M60 machine gun and one M16 rifle. Government forces also suffered casualties, including one soldier who was killed and five others wounded, Guzman added.

Another clash between the soldiers and rebels were recorded at 3:30 a.m., but there were no official report of casualties yet.

Last Monday, MNLF elements attacked the city and held some residents hostage, using the victims as "human shields."

Meanwhile, some 24,000 city residents have been evacuated amid continued clashes.  See timeline.

Vice President Jejomar Binay arrived at the military’s Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City shortly after noon Saturday, to meet with President Benigno Aquino, who arrived in the city on Friday. — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan /LBG, GMA News