In a text advisory forwarded by City Hall PIO Sheila Covarrubias, it stated: “Please verify circulating text messages and online scare to our Police hotline nos. 117 or 166 and thru WESMINCOM at 09177950413. Spreading false info & unverified reports will only cause undue panic and fear. Residents are advised to remain calm but vigilant.”
Yesterday (September 24), netizens and residents showed anxiety and fear through their Facebook posts; most have expressed plans to leave the city immediately due to online scares that went viral on Facebook, in addition to the threatening text messages. Said scares alleged that more MNLF reinforcements may be infiltrating the city.
However, in spite of the false scares, the text advisory assured that “our land, sea and air assets are alert and in place to maintain peace and order and to thwart any reinforcement from the MNLF forces that will try to come in our city.”
Security forces are positioned in key parts of the city, including in the city’s entry and exit points.
Meanwhile, the imposition of the curfew continues from 8pm to 5am.
Yesterday afternoon, government forces once again conducted an airstrike against the remaining Misuari-faction MNLF fighters in the Rio Hondo-Sta.Barbara-Sta.Catalina area. The AFP reports that as of today, 103 MNLF fighters were killed, 46 surrendered, and 80 were captured (including 1 commander and 7 fighters who were arrested dawn yesterday in Martha Drive, barangay Sta. Catalina).
The government forces have maintained a “constricting” strategy to pressure the remaining fighters to release the hostages and surrender, to finally have a peaceful end to the conflict. (PIA9)