Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II said the movement of members of the Moro National Liberation Front who were on
standoff with government troops have been contained.
“They have been contained . . . They are surrounded by government forces, this will not spread to other areas in Zamboanga City,” Roxas said in Filipino in a press conference in Zamboanga City as the government continued to negotiate for the release of civilians held by the MNLF.
Police Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, Region IX police spokesman, said that from 200 previously reported, the number of hostages went down to 87, although Roxas said in the same press conference that the count was around 180.
He, however, clarified that figures mostly came from the media as “nobody has been able to enter these areas.”
“There has not been any headcount,” Roxas said.
Roxas said the hostages were not hogtied, but were being used as human shields.
“Whatever the number is, it doesn’t appear that they are treated as hostages. They are free to move about,” he said.
As of posting time, up to six hostages have been freed.
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