167 MNLF dead, 247 surrendered after 20 days of fighting in Zambo

After 20 days of fighting, at least 167 followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari have been killed, the Zamboanga City police said Saturday.

 

Citing figures as of 3 p.m., the city police said 167 MNLF members had beeen killed while 247 were arrested. It also said at least 24 more have surrendered. 

 

On Saturday, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the crisis was over, and that clearing operations are to begin. Meanwhile, the Zamboanga City police said at least 18 soldiers were killed in action and 167 wounded, while five policemen were killed and 14 wounded. 

 

It also said 12 civilians died while 72 were wounded. 

 

Gazmin and interior secretary Manuel Roxas II were to return to Manila Saturday, after spending two weeks in Zamboanga City. – KDM, GMA News