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Spokesman confirms Misuari-led MNLF, not breakaway group, behind Zambo stand-off
(Updated 8:19 p.m.) The genuine Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), not a breakaway group, deployed armed followers in Zamboanga City on Monday, according to MNLF spokesperson Emmanuel Fontanilla.
This goes against the military's statement that an MNLF breakaway group is behind the "attack" in Zamboanga City.
"We just want to correct the statement of the [military]. It's not a breakaway group. It's the main group of chairman Nur Misuari group," Fontanilla said in an interview aired at "Quick Response Team."
Fontanilla added that Misuari has instructed them to maintain a "defensive posture."
Six people were killed while 24 others were wounded as government troops on Monday clashed with the MNLF in Zamboanga city.
According to AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the MNLF has held hostage at least 300 civilians already: 230 in Barangay Santa Catalina, 50 in Santa Barbara, and 20 in Talon Talon.
In a separate "24 Oras" report, Fontanilla denied attacking Zamboanga City, adding that the government attacked the MNLF forces first.
He said that the MNLF merely defended themselves.
On July 25, MNLF founder Nur Misuari had said they would resort to "action" in case the government provoked them, according to the report.
"I have 1.3 million forces. But they are not doing anything wrong. If they provoke us, then we may decide to go back to action," Misuari said in his residence at Barangay San Roque, Zamboanga City a month before he announced independence for MNLF.
"Wala na kaming pag-asa. After 37 years of peace talks, pagkatapos they slammed the door to us, to peace. Anong mangyayari riyan? We have to look for our options," Misuari said.
Fontanilla added that the government should have used other "necessary channels" in the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF instead of tactical combat operations.
"What happened in Zamboanga City is that only Philippine forces in the area should have used the necessary channels and mechanisms in the peace agreement, so there can be no untoward incident that could ahve occurred in that area," Fontanilla said. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/BM, GMA News
This goes against the military's statement that an MNLF breakaway group is behind the "attack" in Zamboanga City.
"We just want to correct the statement of the [military]. It's not a breakaway group. It's the main group of chairman Nur Misuari group," Fontanilla said in an interview aired at "Quick Response Team."
Fontanilla added that Misuari has instructed them to maintain a "defensive posture."
Six people were killed while 24 others were wounded as government troops on Monday clashed with the MNLF in Zamboanga city.
According to AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the MNLF has held hostage at least 300 civilians already: 230 in Barangay Santa Catalina, 50 in Santa Barbara, and 20 in Talon Talon.
In a separate "24 Oras" report, Fontanilla denied attacking Zamboanga City, adding that the government attacked the MNLF forces first.
He said that the MNLF merely defended themselves.
On July 25, MNLF founder Nur Misuari had said they would resort to "action" in case the government provoked them, according to the report.
"I have 1.3 million forces. But they are not doing anything wrong. If they provoke us, then we may decide to go back to action," Misuari said in his residence at Barangay San Roque, Zamboanga City a month before he announced independence for MNLF.
"Wala na kaming pag-asa. After 37 years of peace talks, pagkatapos they slammed the door to us, to peace. Anong mangyayari riyan? We have to look for our options," Misuari said.
Fontanilla added that the government should have used other "necessary channels" in the 1996 peace agreement with the MNLF instead of tactical combat operations.
"What happened in Zamboanga City is that only Philippine forces in the area should have used the necessary channels and mechanisms in the peace agreement, so there can be no untoward incident that could ahve occurred in that area," Fontanilla said. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab/BM, GMA News
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