By Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA CITY - The
government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines is doing everything they can,
risking lives just to safeguard the citizenry. This is the assurance made by city
Mayor, Beng Climaco.
Last night, barangay officials and tanods from various barangays together with the police dutifully watched over their respective area by rendering foot patrol and roving just so even for a night their constituent s would be able to sleep soundly, a luxury that most Zamboangaueños missed since the start of the gun fire exchange between government troopers and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Monday.
Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar instructed barangay officials to advise their respective tanods to wear their proper uniform when conducting barangay patrol.
The Mayor also said, total number of evacuees is recorded at more than 17,000 as of 5pm today with over 10,000 sheltered at the grandstand.
She said their needs including food are continuously being addressed by the City Government thru the City Social Welfare, DSWD and other agencies and volunteer groups. A telecommunication company even set up “Libreng tawag to all networks” at the grandstand to connect the evacuees with their families and friends just so to ease worries even for a while.
Meanwhile, Bankers Association representative assured that all banks have filled up their ATMs with cash for people to make withdrawals.
Majority of the establishments are still close. However, there are already passenger jeeps and tricycles plying the streets unlike Monday and Tuesday when the city was described as a ghost town.
It can be recalled, members of the MNLF infiltrated Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Rio Hondo, Mampang, and Talon Talon; 5 of the 98 baragays of the city. They sow fear and held hostage several innocent civilians as human shield. (PIA9)
Mayor Beng Climaco-Salazar instructed barangay officials to advise their respective tanods to wear their proper uniform when conducting barangay patrol.
The Mayor also said, total number of evacuees is recorded at more than 17,000 as of 5pm today with over 10,000 sheltered at the grandstand.
She said their needs including food are continuously being addressed by the City Government thru the City Social Welfare, DSWD and other agencies and volunteer groups. A telecommunication company even set up “Libreng tawag to all networks” at the grandstand to connect the evacuees with their families and friends just so to ease worries even for a while.
Meanwhile, Bankers Association representative assured that all banks have filled up their ATMs with cash for people to make withdrawals.
Majority of the establishments are still close. However, there are already passenger jeeps and tricycles plying the streets unlike Monday and Tuesday when the city was described as a ghost town.
It can be recalled, members of the MNLF infiltrated Sta. Barbara, Sta. Catalina, Rio Hondo, Mampang, and Talon Talon; 5 of the 98 baragays of the city. They sow fear and held hostage several innocent civilians as human shield. (PIA9)