"Clashes between Philippine troops and hundreds of suspected Muslim rebels have left at least six people dead, officials say. Suspected members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) moved in on Zamboanga, a city in Mindanao, by boat early on Monday, officials said. Clashes spread from the coast to the city's busy Rio Hondo area. The MNLF signed a peace agreement with the government in 1996. However, some of its fighters remain active. Many residents have fled Rio Hondo to escape the fighting. "The main target by the MNLF in encroaching Zamboanga city is to raise their banner of independence at city hall," city mayor, Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, told Agence-France Presse (AFP) news agency. She told media that the clashes have killed at least two security personnel and four civilians. There were also reports of a number of people who were wounded. At least 20 residents were being held hostage, reports quoted the military and police as saying. Armed forces spokesman, Lt Col Ramon Zagala, said that around 800 troops had been deployed to secure the city. "We are trying to contain them, so that this will not spread elsewhere," he told Agence-France Presse news agency." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24012348
This is apparently Nur Musuari's faction of the MNLF; we gather that Nur Misuari is sulking over his exclusion from the Malaysian-brokered talks with the MILF. So six people dead and twenty hostages taken. Useful bit in Rappler, here: http://www.rappler.com/nation/21540-dealing-with-an-angry-misuari
According to the English-language news station ANC (ABS-CBN), there are 180 being held hostage but I've not seen any independent reports to coroborate that.
From the news this morning, according to the MNLF, the govt troops started it. No hostage has been kept etc. That what is happening in Mindanao is just a stage or a way to divert the issues about Pork Barrel...Hard to believe who's saying the truth.
Hi, Yuna, I saw that, here: http://www.mb.com.ph/mnlf-govt-started-zambo-crisis-to-divert-attention-from-pork-scam/ The same thing was said about the so-called "Sultan of Sulu"'s private invasion of Sabah - that it was a distraction. I think such things really did happen under Marcos, but I don't like to think that they happen now.
Philippines clashes: Residents flee Zamboanga "Philippine troops have continued to exchange gunfire with Muslim rebels in an ongoing stand-off in the country's south, as thousands of residents flee. At least nine people have been killed since the fighting began on Monday in Zamboanga city in Mindanao. A faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has moved into the city, with rebels now holed up in a number of communities. Most flights and ferry services remain suspended in the city. The rebels are reported to be in a number of villages, along with civilians. Local reports say that some houses in rebel-held communities have been set on fire. Thousands of residents have fled to safety, with at least 13,000 people seeking shelter at the Zamboanga city sports stadium, local officials say. Other residents have sought shelter at churches and schools. The president has sent the social welfare secretary to the area to help in relief operations, officials say." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24044332
"Philippine troops are continuing to battle Muslim rebels holed up in a southern city, amid reports of separate fighting in a nearby area. Troops have been fighting Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels who entered parts of Zamboanga city in Mindanao on Monday. Local reports say a town in nearby Basilan province was also attacked by unidentified rebels on Thursday." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24059035
If you mean that this crisis has been created by the government, then I completely disagree. The Zamboanga crisis is entirely down to the MNLF whose leadership today confirmed this and gave their reasons, the main one being that they have been side-lined by the peace process and the government won't accede to their demands. The situation in Zamboanga will only get worse as MNLF are firing indiscriminately at civilians - both Muslim and non-Muslim - and several Red Cross first-aiders have been wounded as they try to rescue wounded civilians.
And here is another puzzle: http://www.rappler.com/nation/38832-rappler-statement-surrender-zamboanga
Philippines: Helicopters fire rockets on Muslim rebels "Government forces in the Philippines have begun firing rockets from helicopters in an attempt to dislodge Muslim rebels who have been holding parts of the city of Zamboanga for the past week. The insurgents say they want to establish an independent Muslim state on the southern island of Mindanao. Zamboanga has been brought to a standstill by the week-long siege. An unknown number of civilians are still trapped with the insurgents." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24107259
I am not usually given to being a conspiracy theorist but it strikes me that this spate of trouble in Zamboanga could be rather convenient for certain legislators, detracting as it does, attention away from the Pork Barrel issue thus allowing some key personnel to disappear. Coincidentally, Nur Misauri, the MNLF leader and self-proclaimed President of the Bangsamoro Republik, was a classmate of Philippines Vice-President Jejomar Binay at the University of the Philippines and studied political science together.
A little bird tells me that Nur Misuari is said to have been offered political asylum in Saudi Arabia. My feathered friend adds that such arrangements in Saudi are usually conditional on the "refugee" causing no further trouble.
What typo? Nur Misuari was excluded from the Malaysian- brokered talks between the Governmemt and the MILF.
Moro Islamic Liberation Front - what did you think it meant? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Front Yep. I had a titter when I first came across it a couple of years ago.
