By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY - As of this morning, twelve policemen and
soldiers have perished while protecting the lives of the residents of Zamboanga
City.
Still, the men of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines and Philippine National Police are at the frontline risking their
lives and enduring physical and mental stress. Most are hungry; many more have
been deprived of sleep for days. Yet they still man their positions to repel
any more possible attacks and to prevent innocent civilians from once again
being held hostage.
Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP Spokesperson in
a phone interview this morning said that aside from the deaths, 115 more were
wounded in action.
There is no let-up until the mission is
accomplished.
The shootouts started ten days ago on
September 9, when members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were
reported to have held several people hostage in barangays Sta. Barbara, Rio
Hondo, Talon-Talon, and Sta. Catalina. Gunfire exchange has been intermittent.
There were only countable lull moments, but then the shots and explosions would
continue throughout night time and in the early morning.
Members of the media who were covering the
scene have reported the heroism and persistence of the government troops.
Photos of the wounded soldiers have gone
viral on the web.
There is a picture of several soldiers
huddled together, eating from a banana leaf, obviously very hungry.
Eylin Tom Bulahan who was one of the
residents situated near the areas guarded by the soldiers, was witness to their
difficulty. “The soldiers were very hungry. They were asking to buy food, but
our store was closed.” Bulahan told Yahoo News. Bulahan shared some rice and
dried fish to the soldiers. “They have been deprived of sleep, yet they keep on
fighting.”
PIA information officer Jocelyn Alvarez
shared a photo on Facebook of a certain Sgt. Ramos, assigned to protect a
gasoline station in barangay Talon-Talon, whose leg was shot.
Noning Antonio from Dateline Teleradyo also
shared a photo of an unidentified soldier who was rescuing several people from
being caught between the crossfire in Lustre Drive; he was helping a weeping
woman, while he himself was apparently almost in tears.
Yet, in addition to bullets, mortar shells
and shrapnel, our soldiers have constantly been shot by heavy criticism. Many
netizens ridicule the government troops for not being able to resolve the
situation hastily.
In spite of that, our soldiers remain in
their positions. The AFP has been maintaining a non-aggressive, defensive
strategy in addressing the situation.
Positive developments have been reported
constantly by the media and by the netizens.
As of today, 149 hostages are already free.
Last night (September 17), 23 MNLF men have
surrendered to the authorities, through the negotiations of Zamboanga City
Police Director Col. Chiquito Malayo, who was earlier thought of as abducted by
the insurgents.
Lt. Col. Zagala shares that now the
government troops are “gradually constricting and clearing the areas”. There is
still no clear indication that the hostilities have finally stopped. He
reiterated that the mission remains the same from day one. The soldiers, he
emphasized, will fulfill the mission.
“The mission is to save lives,” he said.