Casualties continue to mount as Zambo clashes enter 3rd week

Nearly 100 followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari have been killed as the confrontation between MNLF gunmen and government troops is about to enter its third week. On Sunday, the Philippine Army 7th Civil Relations Group commander Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said the death toll from the fighting had reached 125, including 99 from the MNLF. Also,117 gunmen were  captured or have surrendered. Cabunoc said 11 soldiers had been killed in action and 133 wounded in action, while three police officers were killed, with 13 wounded in action. On Saturday, one soldier "paid the ultimate sacrifice" during clearing operations, but there was no letup on the ongoing security operations . "Morale is high," Cabunoc asserted. He added at least 174 hostages had been rescued. A separate report on state-run Philippines News Agency quoted AFP deputy public affairs office head Maj. Angelo Guzman as saying 12 civilians were killed, with 49 wounded. Guzman also said 64 high-powered firearms and 13 low-powered ones had been captured from the MNLF. Meanwhile, Cabunoc said Misuari's followers are engaging the soldiers in "hit-and-run skirmishes" in the maze of buildings and concrete houses of Zamboanga City. He said this may be due to Misuari's men running out of ammunition. Cabunoc also said the soldiers were getting ready-to-eat rations as they "don't have time to cook nowadays." — DVM, GMA News