Zamboanga siege’s military expenses cost P150M, says AFP vice chief of staff

By: Frances Mangosing - 11 years ago

AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Alan Luga. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Military expenses on the Zamboanga siege last month has so far cost about P150 million.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Alan Luga said on Tuesday that the amount covered fuel, food and medical expenses for the soldiers.

“What made the amount so big was mostly because of the fuel for the C-130 planes,” he told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo.

At a budget hearing in Congress last month, Luga said there was about P350-million worth of expenses.

“But we re-computed later and it was less than that, about 50 percent,” he said.

He also clarified that the amount did not include expenses on ammunition and other war materiel.

The Zamboanga siege in September started when members of the Moro National Liberation Front tried to hoist their flag in the city hall. It led to a 20-day gunbattle with government troops. At least 200 were killed from the fighting.

Clearing operations were still being implemented in several affected villages.