8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew up in Zambo City; classes, work suspended

MANILA, Philippines – Curfew was imposed in Zamboanga City on Monday following a standoff between government troops and  Moro National Liberation Front gunmen.

“With the current situation in the City, Mayor Beng Climaco is declaring the imposition of curfew in Zamboanga City starting 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.,” the Zamboanga City posted in its Twitter account.

Curfew was authorized by the city council, which met on a special session Monday afternoon, it added.

“Only people working directly in managing situation will be permitted to go around the city including those in the medical profession,” it also said.

Those working for evacuation and distribution of relief goods are permitted to go around the city.

On Tuesday, classes will also remain suspended in all levels in both public and private institutions in Zamboanga City.

Work in all offices likewise is also cancelled for Tuesday except for offices providing frontline services, it added.

Zamboanga City was plunged into a crisis after about 300 MNLF rebels rampaged through coastal communities in the city that left at least six people dead.

The fighting happened after the troops backed by tanks blocked the guerrillas — armed by assault rifles — from marching into Zamboanga city to raise their flag at city hall.

The military said  the rebels were boxed into a Muslim coastal slum called Rio Hondo and were refusing to negotiate with security forces.

Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco said sporadic gunbattles had killed a navy special forces member, a policeman and four civilians, while 24 civilians, rebels and soldiers were wounded. The military said at least two guerrillas were killed.