2 MNLF stragglers killed in clearing operations in Zamboanga City

MANILA, Philippines – Two members of the Moro National Liberation Front were killed during clearing operations on Thursday in Zamboanga City, the military said.

Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, military spokesman, said the two stragglers were killed in clashes with troops of the 23rd Marine Company in Kasanyangan village on the 10th day of clearing operations.

The soldiers were fired upon by the rebels past 8 a.m. Two M14 rifles were recovered after the firefight.

Zagala also declined to say how many more MNLF fighters are being pursued by government forces.

“There are still places that are not yet inspected carefully.  We should be able to inspect all these areas,” he said.

“Also this morning, soldiers of the 44th Infantry Battalion conducting clearing operations in Sta. Catalina recovered one M-16 rifle in a drainage canal and an AK-47 while scouring the mangrove areas of said barangay (village),” Zagala said.

The gunbattle between MNLF and combined security forces left over 200 killed. There were 208 fatalities from the MNLF, while there were 20 from the military. There were 195 hostages rescued. Some 270 rebels surrendered or were apprehended.

Zamboanga City is on post-conflict stage, according to authorities. It is undergoing clearing operations, which was originally seen to last up to two weeks.

Zagala said that the clearing operations might be extended because it had been delayed due to rains from the intertropical convergence zone.

The next phase would be rehabilitation.