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AFP: Gazmin declares Zambo City crisis over, but clearing ops continue
(Updated 12:54 p.m.) On its 20th day, the crisis in Zamboanga City where government troops battled followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari is finally over, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Saturday.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said this on its Twitter account before noon Saturday, even as it said the search for the suspected leader of the siege is still ongoing.
"Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin declares Zamboanga standoff over... still searching for Commander Habier Malik...," it said.
Government-run People's Television (PTV) said Gazmin made the assessment after there was no firefight Friday night.
But Gazmin said they will still continue the clearing operations in the city.
He also said Malik, who was believed to have led the MNLF forces in the crisis, was still uncaptured.
Gazmin was quoted in the PTV report that they are verifying if one of the bodies found in Sta. Catalina village is Malik's.
Meanwhile, AFP public affairs unit head Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said there may still be "a few members (and) stragglers" trying to evade arrest.
"Naniniwala tayo they are already defeated (We believe they are already defeated)," he said on dzBB radio.
A separate report by radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. said government forces are now checking the city for remnants of Misuari's followers.
The government forces are also checking for improvised explosives the remnants may have left behind.
In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the crisis is over.
When asked to confirm Gazmin’s statement that the crisis has ended, she said, “Yes certainly. Certainly.”
“We always maintained in the days dealing with the situation, it will be officials on the ground who will be making the announcement based on their assessment,” she said on government-run dzRB radio.
She added the government’s goal from Day One was to ensure the safety of hostages and make sure civilians are out of harm’s way. “That has already been accomplished,” she said. — LBG, GMA News
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said this on its Twitter account before noon Saturday, even as it said the search for the suspected leader of the siege is still ongoing.
"Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin declares Zamboanga standoff over... still searching for Commander Habier Malik...," it said.
Government-run People's Television (PTV) said Gazmin made the assessment after there was no firefight Friday night.
But Gazmin said they will still continue the clearing operations in the city.
He also said Malik, who was believed to have led the MNLF forces in the crisis, was still uncaptured.
Gazmin was quoted in the PTV report that they are verifying if one of the bodies found in Sta. Catalina village is Malik's.
Meanwhile, AFP public affairs unit head Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said there may still be "a few members (and) stragglers" trying to evade arrest.
"Naniniwala tayo they are already defeated (We believe they are already defeated)," he said on dzBB radio.
A separate report by radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. said government forces are now checking the city for remnants of Misuari's followers.
The government forces are also checking for improvised explosives the remnants may have left behind.
In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the crisis is over.
When asked to confirm Gazmin’s statement that the crisis has ended, she said, “Yes certainly. Certainly.”
“We always maintained in the days dealing with the situation, it will be officials on the ground who will be making the announcement based on their assessment,” she said on government-run dzRB radio.
She added the government’s goal from Day One was to ensure the safety of hostages and make sure civilians are out of harm’s way. “That has already been accomplished,” she said. — LBG, GMA News
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