No ceasefire in Zamboanga says defense chief

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Saturday said that there was no ceasefire being implemented as heavy fighting between government troops and Moro rebels entered its sixth day.

This statement came after Vice President Jejomar Binay said late Friday  that Gazmin  and Moro National Liberation Front founding Chairman Nur Misuari agreed to observe “a peaceful settlement” to the ongoing crisis in Zamboanga City.

Binay claimed he spoke with both Misuari and Gazmin and a ceasefire would be implemented “as soon as possible.” Binay and Misuari were classmates at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

“Both sides agreed to stop the fighting while pursuing a peaceful settlement. They agreed to implement a ceasefire as soon as possible tonight,” Binay told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Gazmin, however, denied the ceasefire and said that firing continued even on Saturday.

“Well what happened last night was when I talked to the Vice President, he can reach out to Misuari agree to a ceasefire. I said only if they can implement the ceasefire, we will stop firing only when they stop firing,” he said in a television interview past 8 a.m.

“They are firing as we speak. It (ceasefire) has never been implemented in the first place,” he said.

Gazmin also said he had not spoken to Misuari.

The defense secretary emphasized their need to “peaceful resolution,” as the heavy fighting has so far killed at least 52 people and wounded 56. Nearly 30,000 people have also fled from their homes as of Friday afternoon.

“We are all peaceful people. We want a peaceful resolution to this so we don’t lose unnecessary lives. We take all steps to prevent bloody confrontation. But the agreement is if they stop firing, we will stop firing,” he said.

Binay will fly to Zamboanga City on Saturday to smooth out the “peace settlement deal.”

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