Tending to children has become difficult in evacuation centers with the number of displaced increasing every day after two weeks of skirmish between MNLF and state forces. All over the city, the number of displaced residents has swelled up to nearly 120,000 from 12 villages as fighting continued on its second week.
In House Resolution 302, Bayan Muna asked the committee on peace, reconciliation and unity to investigate whether or not the government terminated the tripartite review of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF, which claimed that this provoked their members to march into Zamboanga City on September 9.
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.
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)
As strong words flow and fighting continues in the city, for evacuees living off at city’s main grandstand, they only have memories of their ordeal and a craving to survive.
There is yet no ceasefire in place, consistent with what President Benigno Aquino III said yesterday that since Day One, the government is bent on launching military operations. But he clarified later that the primary objective of the military operations is the “unnecessary loss of lives.”
American soldiers are spotted in Camp Edwin Andrews, Zamboanga City helping carry buckets to be given to residents who evacuated from the gunfight between Moro National Liberation Front soldiers and government troops. The U.S. government pledged US$ 600,000 of relief for more than 10,000 residents affected by the clash between the MNLF and government troops, which will be delivered through the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force (JSOTF) – Philippines. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L.Saligumba)
Smoke from a fire in Barangay Catalina, Zamboanga City can be seen at the background of Col. Edwin Andrews Airbase as tensions between the Moro National Liberation Front fighters and government troops are now on its fourth day Thursday. The fighting between the two continues as groups call on the Aquino government to take the review of the Final Peace Agreement with the MNLF seriously. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L.Saligumba)
“Our brothers wanted to mount a peaceful rally but they were not granted. Do we need to see bloodshed so that our voices are heard?” (MNLF Davao Chair) Olamit asked.
