Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas said armed
men loyal to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur
Misuari will face rebellion charges for the conflict in Zamboanga City.
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He added that Misuari's group also violated international humanitarian law for taking civilian hostages and using them as human shields.
Roxas also said Justice Sec. Leila de Lima sent fiscals to Zamboanga City to help in finishing the preparation of the cases to be filed against the accused.
On whether Misuari himself will be facing rebellion charges, Roxas said that is still up for study by investigators. "That is what we in government want to be enlightened about."
More than 100 fighters of Misuari's faction of the MNLF are also in government custody.
Authorities estimated that the MNLF fighter now only number from 50 to 60 men.
In November 2001, Misuari accused the government of reneging on a peace agreement with the MNLF. He then launched attacks in Sulu and Zamboanga City, where more than 100 people were killed.
Later, he escaped by boat to Malaysia but was arrested. He was deported to the Philippines and charged with rebellion. He filed bail for his release. In 2009, a Makati court dismissed the rebellion charges against him.
The standoff in Zamboanga City is already on its 10th day on Wednesday. In the morning, a fire was seen burning again in Brgy. Sta. Catalina. Sporadic gunfire and explosions were also heard.
Roxas said government forces are clearing "house to house" around 5 barangays where the MNLF have dug in.
He also said they have processed 178 residents previously held hostage by the Misuari MNLF.
In Manila, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan said the situation in the city is still "fluid."
He also said 11 members of the armed forces and 3 members of the PNP have been killed in the conflict with 117 wounded. Also killed were 7 civilians.
On the side of the MNLF, Tutaan said 83 have been reported killed, while 93 others have been either captured or surrendered.
Tutaan also said the MNLF Misuari faction is low on ammunition but they will continue their "calibrated response" saying one MNLF can still cause havoc.
Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco promised her constituents that perpetrators of the standoff in her city will go to jail and would never be allowed to return to the city.
Climaco also said she wants a "long-term solution" to the cause of the standoff so that it would never be repeated.
"I stand firm with President Noy's (Aquino) pronouncements that charegs shall be filed and justice shall be gained for those whose lives were wasted in this atrocity. Let the perpetrators go to jail and never be allowed to come back to the city," she said.
The mayor also called on her consituents to rebuild the city. "We shall fight for justice. We shall rebuild this city," Climaco said, her voice cracking with emotion.
She also advised residents living in the 5 barangays not to return their homes just yet.
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