By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Military forces are on
clearing operations on the ninth day of the armed conflict here as Moro
National Liberation Front-Misuari faction flee, reports say.
Military data said at least 60 MNLF members, including female combatants,
were either arrested or have surrendered to the government forces as of Sept.
16. Casualty, according to military report also rose to 87 and 71 of them are
MNLF rebels.
DILG Sec. Mar Roxas revealed that about 70 percent of the areas
controlled by the MNLF are now under control of the AFP since it waged a
calibrated offensive response to address the crisis. Roxas said President
Noynoy Aquino, who is still in the city, is closely monitoring the situation.
Pres. Aquino recently visited the main evacuation center to personally
see the needs of the evacuees. The President also distributed foods to his
troops here and visited the wounded soldiers and policemen. Aquino assured
Zamboangueños that the city has the government support and that all assistance
will be given to the city.
78 hostages were recorded to have
been rescued, released, or have escaped. They are now being attended to at Camp
Batalla of the PNP for medical check-up and stress debriefing.
One of the hostages said some MNLF rebels let their captives escape as
the military continue to press into their lair. (PIA9)