Conflict leaves Zamboangueños sad but hopeful

MANILA, Philippines—As hostilities between state security forces and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters grip Zamboanga City, the local government has remained optimistic that it would not fetter the people’s dream for a peaceful and livable community.

“Zamboanga as a city is very tolerant. And this present conflict is not about religion,” Christian Olasiman, executive assistant and communications officer of the city mayor’s office, said in an interview from Davao City.

However, the local government is saddened that the city is again all over the news because of the conflict. On Tuesday, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada joined the United States in issuing warnings to their citizens against travel to Zamboanga City, citing the volatile security situation there and the continuing closure of the city’s airport.

The skirmishes happened just two days after the city government launched a campaign inviting tourists to visit the place, and placed a full-page ad in the Inquirer. “This is a blow for Zamboanga, but this will not dampen our spirits,” Olasiman said.

Known as Asia’s Latin City, the city was one of the centers of Spanish control during the colonization period. Its culture and heritage are influenced by Catholic beliefs, with its annual event, the Hermosa Festival, held during the month of October.

The festival was originally a tribute to the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar, but is now also being observed to promote the culture of diversity in the region.

On the second day of the exchange of gunfire and a fire that razed at least five houses, the local government is asking consumers not to engage in panic buying as supplies of basic commodities are still enough.

Olasiman said the local government and various national agencies are closely monitoring the local economy.

“There are slight increases in the prices but we are now closely monitoring it. We are also appealing to the vendors not to take advantage of the situation to earn more profit,” he said.

The city has been at a standstill as schools, establishments and government institutions have been paralyzed. But Olasiman said the communities are starting to go back to their normal routine.

“Some stores are now open. Public markets are open to cater to the needs of the residents. Things are slowly getting back to normal,” Olasiman said.

Pharmacies and gasoline stations, which are vital establishments, have resumed operations.

No impact if…

The current conflict in Zamboanga may lead to a deterioration in confidence in the Philippines, with investors likely taking a second look at the country due to renewed peace and order issues, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said in Manila.

“If this is just a short-term, fleeting event, then there won’t be any impact. Especially since it’s happening down south. Zamboanga is not a major trading port,” Guinigundo told reporters.

“But it will always be a sore thumb, especially if it lasts long,” he said. “Imagine if we didn’t have these issues in Mindanao. That’s a very rich area.”

He said that despite Mindanao’s riches, owing to the resources it had to offer that could benefit the agriculture and mining sectors, the area’s potential had never been maximized due to its troubled history.

For instance, the Tampakan copper-gold mine south of General Santos City is considered one of the largest undeveloped mines of its kind in Southeast Asia. Zamboanga, in particular, used to be a major port for the entry of imported secondhand goods, Guinigundo pointed out.—With reports from Tarra Quismundo and Paolo G. Montecillo in Manila