Soldier killed in clearing ops on 11th day of Zambo City crisis

Published September 19, 2013 8:18am

(Updated 10:53 a.m.) At least one soldier was reported killed in fresh fighting early morning Thursday, the 11th day of armed confrontations between government and Moro National Liberation Front forces in Zamboanga City.

The incident occurred in Barangay Sta. Catalina, radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr. reported.

In a report on "News TV Live," Ian Cruz said the soldier who died was hit by sniper fire, adding that the incident was confirmed by Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

Cruz quoted Zagala as saying the latest fatality brings to 10 the total number of soldiers killed in the Zamboanga crisis.

On the other hand, 86 MNLF fighters were killed and 93 were already in police custody, Zagala was quoted in the report as saying.

On Wednesday, however, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen Domingo Tutaan Jr. said that on the part of government forces 14 have been killed, including 11 soldiers and three police officers; and 127 others wounded, including 105 soldiers and 12 police officers.

Also Tutaan said 152 hostages have been rescued while less than 100 remain in the hands of the MNLF gunmen.

Gunfire heard, coastlines watched

Meanwhile, fire broke out in Barangay Rio Hondo in Zamboanga City Thursday morning, according to Chino Gaston's report on GMA News TV's "News To Go."

The report said it has yet to be determined if the fire was caused by the gunfight or by arson.

Another fire occurred Thursday morning in Barangay Sta. Barbara, radio dzBB reported.

FLASH: Panibagong sunog sumiklab sa Bgy. Sta. Barbara, Zamboanga City.
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 19, 2013

On Thursday, the sounds of gun and mortar fire were heard early in the morning as government troops and MNLF forces continued fighting.

Philippine National Police deputy director for operations Deputy Director General Felipe Rojas Jr. said they had retaken 80 percent of the MNLF-controlled areas of the city, adding clearing operations were ongoing.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Wednesday sent a surveillance vessel to guard the waters off Zamboanga City to protect local fishermen and to check for fleeing suspected Moro National Liberation Front members.

BFAR head Asis Perez said their primary concern is to make sure the fishermen are safe and do not end up as casualties of the clash in Zamboanga City, radio dZBB's Manny Vargas reported.

'The end is near'

At least 15 followers of Misuari surrendered to authorities Thursday, prompting a military official to comment that the end of the crisis may finally be near.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commander of the Philippine Army’s 7th Civil Relations Group, said the 15 MNLF men surrendered to the Army's 44th Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police's elite Special Action Force.

Another 15 of Misuari's men have surrendered to the 44ib and pnp saf today. They brought 4 firearms. The end is near. Lets pray!
— LtCol Harold Cabunoc (@HaroldCabunoc94) September 19, 2013

Since Sept. 9, followers of MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari had engaged government forces in intense gun battle.

Last month, Misuari declared the establishment of the United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republik in a gathering of his followers in his Sulu stronghold. According to the MNLF website, the new entity envisions a territory consisting of Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, and the state of Sabah in northern Borneo. — with reports from Andrei Medina and Amanda Fernandez/LBG/KG, GMA News

Tags: rebelattack, zamboangacityattack, zamboangacity, mnlf