Aerial bombs launched by government troops against Muslim rebels and more fires in Barangay Santa Catalina Monday worried displaced residents who said relatives and neighbors were trapped there.
Brad Adams, Asia director of HRW reacted over this report. “Government forces should not be making blanket assumptions about whether individuals are rebels based on whether they have proper documents or not. Officials can check those leaving the conflict zone, but they need to ensure that civilians have safe passage and are not put at unnecessary risk.”
“It’s frustrating how the government has handled the security, why the coasts weren’t secured and could not prevent the MNLF from entering, and how they are handling the situation right now. We don’t know what areas are safe, which roads are secured and which establishments are open,” a debater from the Ateneo de Zamboanga team said.
A few came for Sunday’s evening mass in St. Joseph Spouse of Blessed Virgin Mary Church at Nuñez Street as clashes continue in Zamboanga City. The celebrant Fr. Willie Samson SJ offered prayer for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
Hope, a popular cigarette brand among folks in Mindanao, falls from the pocket of this soldier resting during skirmishes between government troops and Moro National Liberation Front fighters in Zamboanga City. Hope for a peaceful resolution seems dimmer as the clash continues on its second week. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)