By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY – Two years after the infamous Zamboanga siege on
September 9 yesterday, Zamboangueño netizens relive their memories by sharing
“throwback photos” and posts on social media.
Many
remember the vivid gunshots, the mortars, the bombardments, the evacuations and
the curfew. However, many more remember the bravery and resiliency that the
people of Zamboanga showed in that time of adversity.
Here
are some of the posts:
“2nd year Anniversary of
Zamboanga Siege, and all the memories are coming back,” posted Jill Iiee on
Facebook.
“Durante el Zamboanga Siege
talli el tiempo donde hinde iyo ta puede bolbe na casa siendo ta necesita que
reporta cada hora y espera con grande noticia que ay rebenta,” (The Zamboanga
siege was the time when I could not go home since I had to report the events
every hour and wait for developments) shared Kikay Taola, a local journalist.
She continued, “pero ta vusca
iyo siempre tiempo para bolbe y asegura cae na bien mio dos anak. Talli el dia
que ta bolbe iyo donde ya llena sila deila bagpack de ropa para entalcaso daw
anda maga rebelde, kore yalang sila dayun”. (But I had to look for ways to go
home to make sure that my two children are safe. There was a time when I was
able to come home when I saw my children prepare their backpacks in case the
rebels would come and there is a need to evacuate.)
“Sept. 9, 2013... It’s been
two years… it’s been an experience for me being in the middle of the gunshots
and mortars,” shared Oyette Villares
Bandiez.
Other netizens seem to find it
hard to believe that two years had already passed since the siege.
“2 years na gale since
Zamboanga siege happened,” Krizia Mei Julian-Yvanoff
Camoro twitted.
Some contemplated on the present
situation, and asked whether the crisis is indeed over. In a post shared by
Alexis Roa Baldia, he recounted, “today, I couldn’t help but wonder, did the
war really end? Did the crisis really stop? Have we left them (IDPs) with an
even greater battle?”
Baldia continues: “Today, may
we remember, but more importantly, may we find the courage and wisdom to truly
see that despite ample and significant efforts, there is more to be done.”
Ramada Jose shares her concern
over the still difficult situation of the internally-displaced persons (IDPs).
“Magdadalawang taon na.
nagtitis pa rin sa loob ng elementary.school ng Marikih, wala pang permanent
bahay maging bunkhouse wala pa rin natapos,” (It’s been two years, the IDPs are
still suffering inside the elementary school of Marikih, the permanent houses are
still not finished) Jose lamented.
Queenie
Casimiro, an ABS-CBN broadcaster commented on the bravery of the firefighters,
who were just as dedicated to their jobs as the armed forces.
“At one point these
firefighters were accused of not doing their job. Na hinayaan lang nilang
masunog ang mga bahay dahil tropa ng gobyerno daw ang nanunog. But these photos
show how these firemen braved the heat caused both by the fire and sniper fires,”
(Firefighters were accused of leaving the burning houses since people accused
government troops themselves of starting the fires) Casimiro
said.
Meanwhile,
Ulysses John Pagente
Almocera, a humanitarian worker said:
“It was two years ago when I was awakened by
the noise of gun shots. I went to my dorm’s living room and everyone was
watching TV; a video of a soldier who fell down while he was running with his
platoon was being played over and over again. I was confused. Is there a
commotion somewhere in Zamboanga or am I just watching another spoof show where
they are trying to make fun of that soldier? The TV commentators were speaking
in Chabacano and I can only understand a few words.”
“I received calls and texts from my mom. She
was worried. I told her I'll just stay at home. After a few hours, I received
messages from friends asking if I can volunteer at the Grandstand to help feed
the IDPs... I went to the grandstand without my mom’s permission. Little did I
know that it would be the start of my career as a humanitarian.”
Yesterday,
the city government held several activities in remembrance of that fateful day
in 2013, and the series of events that followed afterwards.
