PNoy: No need to declare state of emergency in Zamboanga

(Updated 12:23 p.m.) There is no need to declare a state of emergency in Zamboanga City yet, parts of which are being occupied by members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday.
 
"At this time wala pa," Aquino told reporters at the 7th ASEAN Navy Chiefs' Meeting at the Faimont Hotel in Makati City.

He issued the statement as the crisis in Zamboanga City went into its second day, with hundreds of civilians still being held hostage by loyal followers of former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and MNLF founder Nur Misuari.

On Monday, Aquino sent Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, and Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista to Zamboanga to help assess the situation there and update him regularly.

The President said he talked to Roxas on Tuesday morning to update him about the situation.

Aquino said he was informed that there is "adequate" or even an "overwhelming" number of government forces in Zamboanga.

"Marami tayong ini-airlift na mga tropa, kasama na ang ating mga pinaka-elite na forces, at nandiyan ang Zamboanga City. Ang pag-intindi ko medyo kalmado ang sitwasyon. Ang priorities natin siyempre lahat itong mga potential na madamay itong mga sibilyan," he said.

"Wala tayong expectations... na magkakaroon ng dagdag na tension nitong araw na ito," Aquino added.

However, he said he's not giving them a deadline on when they should resolve the crisis, adding he's leaving the tactical decisions to the commanders on the ground.

"Gaya ng instructions natin mula kahapon, ang priority natin is maniguradong safe lahat...or enhance natin iyong safety ng lahat ng mga mamamayan ng Zamboanga City," he said.

He said Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco is very "hands on" in dealing with the problem, and that she has activated the crisis management council right after the attack on Monday morning. — KG/KBK, GMA News