This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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Rebels belonging to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) released a few hostages in Zamboanga on Tuesday. Authorities confirmed that the gunmen still have over 100 civilian as captives. The death toll reached to six as the firefight between rebels and Philippine forces continues.
Although, Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar confirmed that rebels have kept at least 170 people as hostages, President Benigno Aquino claims that government forces have complete control of the situation.
Philippine security forces have surrounded the area with over 1,500 elite groups. Military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Ramon Zagala alleges that the forces are fighting at least 180 gunmen.
“We are preparing contingencies in other areas so that this will not replicate – we do not want a spillover in other areas… We have established the necessary units and necessary forces thereat to prevent similar incident so the Western Mindanao command has already alerted all units concerned and prepared contingencies for such,” Zagala said.
MNLF leader Nur Misuari has raised concern over the peace talks between the Philippine government and a split-group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). MNLF is apparently punishing the government for bringing a deal to negotiate with MILF while undermining the stronghold of MNLF.
In the meantime, the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) has assumed the role of a mediator and urged the government and MNLF to solve the disputes through dialogue instead of putting several lives and property at stake.
“We ask all the parties of influence in the region to unite and work together for peace, instead of resorting to violence. We should focus on the improvement of the socio-economic and political condition of our people,” PCID said in a press statement.
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