Soldiers now in control of some areas held by MNLF men in Zambo City

The military is now in control of territories in Zamboanga City's Barangay Sta. Barbara that had been held by Moro National Liberation Front fighters since Monday.

A report on "Saksi" Thursday night said government troops have taken control of a mosque, the barangay hall and an elementary school there on the fourth day of the crisis.

As of Thursday evening, at least five have been killed and 36 others wounded, the report said.

Also, it said the MNLF forces driven out of Sta. Barbara on Thursday fled to neighboring Barangagy Sta. Catalina, where fresh fighting erupted.



Fire

Amid skirmishes in Sta. Barbara, a fire broke out, destroying residential houses along Lustre Street in the city.

Firefighters were unable to respond as the MNLF sniper would shoot at them whenever they tried to move close to the burning building.

“Nahirapan tayong mag-penetrate sa area kasi may mga sniper,” said a firefighter who was not immediately identified.

Meanwhile, nine hostages managed to escape from their MNLF captors amid firefight between the rebels and government troops, the report said.

“[I]sasakripisyo ko ang buhay ko basta maligtas ko lang ang mga anak ko,” the report quoted Musa Sali, one of those who were able to escape with his children, as saying.

Aside from the escapees, 13 other residents of Sta. Catalina who were caught in the crossfire were able to evacuate with the help of police authorities and the military.

One of the escapees said they had been trapped in their houses for four days. — with Andrei Medina /LBG, GMA News