The Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have taken 20 more hostages in the stand-off in Zamboanga City.
Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco confirmed that the new hostages were taken from Brgy. Mampang at around 3:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.
This brings the latest total count of hostages being held by the armed men to 170.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs Chier Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the armed men and their hostages have been contained in a certain area. But he said the area is heavily populated and military units have yet to enter these areas for fear of catching hostages and civilian in crossfires.
“The priority right now is their safety comes first. Its unfortunate they were able to get more hostages,” Zagala told ANC. He also said they are trusting that the local crisis community will be able to secure the release of the hostages.
Climaco also said there have been reports that the hostages are being taken out of Zamboanga City and into coastal towns.
She also said they have managed to open communication lines with the armed group through a volunteer negotiator. “We are opening communications with them in fact we are opening lines and we are waiting for the report of the volunteer negotiator.”
Gunshots were also heard again Tuesday morning in communities infiltrated by the Misuari faction like Brgy. Sta. Barbara. DZMM's Noel Alamar said the armed group fired 2 mortar rounds at the Zamboanga City pier.
Climaco also said the total strength of the Misuari faction was almost 200 armed men.
Around 6 people have died while 14 were injured in clashes between Misuari’s group and government troops in Zamboanga City since Sunday night.
Local officials have evacuated to around 1000 people.
Work and classes in all levels are still suspended.
Ferry services and bus trips to and from the province are also cancelled.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) maintained its temporary suspension of all commercial flights to and from Zamboanga International Airport amid security threats.
CAAP Deputy Director General Rodante Joya told DZMM that the suspension which started Monday morning and should have ended at 9:00 p.m, could be extended if tensions escalate. Joya explained that the airport is only a few kilometers away from areas affected by the clashes. He added that they received reports of stray bullets found on the airport’s runway. The suspension is expected to affect 10 commercial flights or 1500 passengers.
Meanwhile, the group of Misuari reiterated its call for a 3rd party to intervene and resolve the tension. The group’s spokesperson Emmanuel Fontanilla said the government should consider a political and not a military solution to the tensions. He also denied they attacked the military and said they merely assumed a defensive posture.
Also, the US warned its citizens against travel to the Zamboanga region because of the stand-off. The US issued a travel warning for the Philippines last July over security concerns in Mindanao.
The US warning comes a day after Malaysia tightened security along
its sea borders amid fears of a possible spill-over of the clashes.
Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco confirmed that the new hostages were taken from Brgy. Mampang at around 3:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.
This brings the latest total count of hostages being held by the armed men to 170.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs Chier Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the armed men and their hostages have been contained in a certain area. But he said the area is heavily populated and military units have yet to enter these areas for fear of catching hostages and civilian in crossfires.
“The priority right now is their safety comes first. Its unfortunate they were able to get more hostages,” Zagala told ANC. He also said they are trusting that the local crisis community will be able to secure the release of the hostages.
Climaco also said there have been reports that the hostages are being taken out of Zamboanga City and into coastal towns.
She also said they have managed to open communication lines with the armed group through a volunteer negotiator. “We are opening communications with them in fact we are opening lines and we are waiting for the report of the volunteer negotiator.”
Gunshots were also heard again Tuesday morning in communities infiltrated by the Misuari faction like Brgy. Sta. Barbara. DZMM's Noel Alamar said the armed group fired 2 mortar rounds at the Zamboanga City pier.
Climaco also said the total strength of the Misuari faction was almost 200 armed men.
Around 6 people have died while 14 were injured in clashes between Misuari’s group and government troops in Zamboanga City since Sunday night.
Local officials have evacuated to around 1000 people.
Work and classes in all levels are still suspended.
Ferry services and bus trips to and from the province are also cancelled.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) maintained its temporary suspension of all commercial flights to and from Zamboanga International Airport amid security threats.
CAAP Deputy Director General Rodante Joya told DZMM that the suspension which started Monday morning and should have ended at 9:00 p.m, could be extended if tensions escalate. Joya explained that the airport is only a few kilometers away from areas affected by the clashes. He added that they received reports of stray bullets found on the airport’s runway. The suspension is expected to affect 10 commercial flights or 1500 passengers.
Meanwhile, the group of Misuari reiterated its call for a 3rd party to intervene and resolve the tension. The group’s spokesperson Emmanuel Fontanilla said the government should consider a political and not a military solution to the tensions. He also denied they attacked the military and said they merely assumed a defensive posture.
Also, the US warned its citizens against travel to the Zamboanga region because of the stand-off. The US issued a travel warning for the Philippines last July over security concerns in Mindanao.
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