FOUR MORE MNLF FIGHTERS KILLED, 36 SURRENDER IN ZAMBOANGA CITY

Manila, 19 Dzulqa’idah 1434/25 September 2013 (MINA) – With the Zamboanga City crisis stand-off now on its 17th day, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that four Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters were killed while another 36 surrendered to military forces conducting clearing operations in Barangays Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina Wednesday morning.

Philippine Army 7th Civil Relations Group commander Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said these occurred around 10:30 a.m.

He added that 23 high-powered firearms were seized in the encounter.

One soldier was killed while another one was reported wounded in the firefight, Philippines News Agency (PNA) quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

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Troopers responsible for these successful operation are the AFP’s Light Reaction Battalion, Special Forces, 44th Infantry Battalion and the PNP-Special Action Force.

Cabunoc placed the number of remaining MNLF fighters at “five to 10” with MNLF commander Habier Malik included.

The latter refused to surrender.

He added that the constriction area is now very small.

“They (remaining MNLF fighters) could be in just one building in the constriction area,” Cabunoc stressed.

The PA official also added that the surrendered MNLF fighters looked starved and very tired.

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He also urged the remaining to peacefully surrender adding that the government will treat them fairly.

Previous, the group of Basilan-based Commander Salip Ijal surrendered Tuesday morning in Ayer Village, Barangay Sta. Barbara.

The standoff started when hundreds of MNLF rebels led by Habier Malik, a trusted aide of MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari infiltrated this city.

But government forces have since retaken most of the MNLF-controlled areas in Zamboanga City.

Muslimin Sema faction, MNLF political leaders greatest, stating that MNLF in Mindanao mainland in his leadership, has stated that they will not join with Misuari faction.

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“We all agreed to step down and we kept calling other MNLF groups to follow the path of peace by peace treaty in 1996,” Sema told reporters a week ago. (T/P09/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)