'The end is near' as 15 Misuari followers surrender, says AFP exec

Signs of recovery in the business sector

 

One sector that is eager to see Zamboanga City recover after 11 days of fighting is the business sector.

 

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry have taken steps to hasten the recovery of residents from the armed conflict that ravaged parts of their city and brought much of the Western Mindanao economy to a standstill. 

 

PCCI said it will ask banks to extend the grace periods of payments on loans and amortizations.

 

The group will also mobilize its members to help in disaster relief efforts.

 

It will also ask the national government for a six-month suspension of the minimum wage for new entrants to the labor force in Zamboanga City as a form of temporary relief to businesses there.

 

DTI, on the other hand, issued a list of suggested retail prices of basic commodities in response to field reports of scarcity of  goods at retail outlets.

 

"The public is enjoined to report to the DTI any observed opportunistic price increases of basic and prime commodities, particularly those in its jurisdiction such as the above-listed food items," the DTI said.

 

Commercial flight resumes, airport opens

 

After more than a week, the first commercial flight from Manila to Zamboanga City finally took off shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday and landed safely at the Zamboanga City airport at 10:09 a.m., yet another sign that things are slowly getting back to normal. 
 

Security was tight at the airport upon the plane's landing, with a three-layered security in place, a radio dzBB report said.

 

"Gumawa ang CAAP [Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines] ng panibagong approach path at flight path para malayo sa putukan ang dadaanan ng mga eroplanong ito. Iyan ang tina-trial ngayon. Titignan natin sa ating assessment at mukhang matagumpay naman," Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said.

 

The CAAP allowed the partial resumption of commercial flights to and from Zamboanga City.

 

The dzBB report added the CAAP will assess whether to allow additional flights in the next few days.

 

Sporadic fighting

 

But although there are signs of recovery in the city, there is still sporadic fighting going on in some barangays as government troops continue battling MNLF forces and hunting down their leader Ustadz Habier Malik.

 

Sounds of gun and mortar fire were heard early Thursday morning amid government forces' clearing operations in areas the MNLF once controlled, radio dzBB's Benjie Liwanag Jr reported. 

 

One soldier was killed by sniper fire Thursday in Barangay Sta. Catalina, Liwanag reported.

 

Since Sept. 9, followers of MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari had engaged government forces in intense gun battle. 
 

Last month, Misuari declared the establishment of the United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republik in a gathering of his followers in his Sulu stronghold. According to the MNLF website, the new entity envisions a territory consisting of Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, and the state of Sabah in northern Borneo. —KG/RSJ, GMA News