Palace: No need for int'l help in resolving Zambo crisis

Despite 18 days of continued hostilities, Malacañang on Thursday said that the Philippine government does not need international help to resolve the Zamboanga crisis and rehabilitate the province. 

 

"We have the resources to deal with it," Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang told reporters in a text message.

 

Carandang was responding to a question on whether the government needs international help in providing assistance to affected Zamboanga residents.

 

The question stemmed from the United Nations' declaration that the situation in Zamboanga is now a "humanitarian crisis."

 

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda had also earlier said he was "certain" that the administration has enough resources to rehabilitate Zamboanga City.

 

Carandang, however, said Zamboanga City's "full blown rehabilitation" cannot begin until Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari's forces are "ejected."

 

"That's what we're doing now," he said.

 

The fighting in Zamboanga City between MNLF and government forces is already on its 18th day.

 

Earlier, the Palace said it had asked Indonesia to "open their communication lines" to assist in finding a peaceful resolution to the Zamboanga standoff.

 

However, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles quoted Indonesia as saying that "they did not see it to be within their role to proactively make a call to either side."

 

Indonesia likewise reportedly said the Misuari group never asked or offered to talk about resolving the standoff in Zamboanga peacefully. —KG, GMA News