From GMA News (Sep 18): Govt troops closing in on MNLF gunmen in two Zambo villages
Government security forces are now focusing operations in Barangays Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara in Zamboanga City where Moro National Liberation Front gunmen led by Habier Malik are believed to be holed up, the spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Wednesday.
“Without sacrificing operational matters, yes, I would say yes (the focus of operation is in Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara) because that is where the armed group [is] right now ... still engaging or still opening fire at the areas, in the civilian areas in [those] two barangays,” Brig. Gen Domingo Tutaan Jr. said at a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.
At present, Tutaan said enemy resistance has waned due to arrests and deaths of some MNLF members and the effort of government troops to constrict and contain them.
“It is not as intense as yesterday [Tuesday]. One, their number has been neutralized, (there have been) arrests and (some were) killed as far as the MNLF-Nur Misuari faction [is concerned] and also, we can attribute that to the efforts to gradually constrict and contain them in the areas where they are right now,” he said.
Tutaan said there are still about 70 to 75 MNLF gunmen in the boundary of the two barangays.
“There are now pockets of resistance or fires coming from the MNLF-Misuari faction side, this is in Sta. Catalina, of course this is just within the boundary of Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina. This morning, a fire broke out again in that area,” he said.
Earlier in the day, AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said Malik is believed moving from house to house to evade pursuing government troops.
Government security forces have been engaging MNLF fighters since September 9 when the armed group tried to hoist their flag at the Zamboanga City Hall. As of early Wednesday, the Philippine National Police said 80 percent of the six villages occupied by the MNLF gunmen have been reclaimed by government forces.
At present, the military is conducting clearing operations in Zamboanga City while they are tracking Malik.
MNLF low on ammo
MNLF low on ammo
Tutaan believed the MNLF gunmen are now running out of ammunition after 10 days of fighting.
“They probably are now low in ammunition but still one bullet still can kill, the waning of their resistance or their capability to fight is really to that effect,” he told reporters.
Despite this development, Tutaan said security forces will continue with the operations against the MNLF gunmen.
“Again we must understand that even if there are one or two left on this, we have to make sure that they are not able to launch any violent action or any form of atrocity. There are still armed men there, so we continue our efforts, our response and if ever they start firing at will or at any direction they wish that is what we are trying to prevent, that is the reason why we are undertaking efforts to constrict (them),” he said.
Without providing specific details, Tutaan said they are looking at how the MNLF faction was able to sustain fighting with government troops for more than a week.
Casualties
Casualties
As of Wednesday morning, Tutaan said 152 hostages have been rescued while less than 100 remain in the hands of the MNLF gunmen.
On the part of government forces Tutaan said 14 have been killed, including 11 soldiers and three police officers; and 127 others wounded, including 105 soldiers and 12 police officers.
On the other hand, 86 MNLF members have been reported killed and 93 were either arrested or have surrendered to authorities.
Meanwhile, seven civilians have been reported killed while 67 others were wounded due to the armed conflict.