AFP to media: Stop demoralizing soldiers in Zamboanga

Members of the PNP LRC cross past the MNLF snipers line in Barangay Sta. Catalina as rebels burned burned houses of residents in Zamboanga City downtown. INQUIRER PHOTO/EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) appealed to media on Saturday to stop circulating the rumored shortage of food supply for the troops as this affects the morale of the soldiers who have been locked in fierce gunbattle with Moro rebels in Zamboanga City.

AFP spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said the support coming from the headquarters was complete—from food, firearms, to ammunition—and that the soldiers’ inability to eat was taken out of context.

“We are committed. If we’re not able to eat, it’s not from lack of food. Everything is coordinated, even the delivery of supplies—food [and others],” Zagala said.

“Please, let’s allow our soldiers to fight. They must not be made to think of matters that would lower their morale,” he added.

Netizens have expressed pity for government troops in Zamboanga City after a photo of three soldiers who apparently begged for food went viral on social media.

In the official Twitter account of the AFP, the military said: “For one, please don’t feel sorry for them (soldiers). Rest assured they are kept well-fed and well-equipped. Help out Zamboanga evacuees instead.”

“The morale of our soldiers remains high. This is our mission; this is our calling—to protect. Please do not worry about our morale,” he added.

Zagala also called on the media to “watch out for their safety” as they risk their life and limb to provide updates on the ongoing firefight between soldiers and rogue members of the Moro National Liberation Front that has left 52 civilians killed and 56 others wounded as of Saturday.

“Like civilians, you are among those we must protect,” he said.

Expressing government’s intention to negotiate with the Muslim rebels, he said the line of communication has remained open but the MNLF was not showing interest to resolve the conflict peacefully.

“If they send feelers to surrender, why would we oppose this if it will mean that there will be no more casualties? However, right now, we do not sense this from them; they continue to fight,” Zagala said.

He said that  the MNLF has reportedly “suffered many losses” and that there were still “around 50 to 100 hostages.”

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