Zambo fighting resumes; fire reported in Brgy. Sta. Barbara

Another fire hit a village in Zamboanga City Thursday morning amid clashes between government security forces and Moro National Liberation Front fighters, a television report said.

 

According to Chino Gaston's report on GMA News TV's News to Go, fire erupted along Lustre Street in Barangay Sta. Barbara amid sporadic gunfire between government troops and MNLF gunmen in the city.

 

In his report, Gaston said the MNLF fighters may have torched the houses to create a diversionary tactic or a "smoke screen" to escape soldiers closing in on them.

 

Meanwhile, citing ground information, Gaston said the area controlled by the gunmen led by Commander Habier Malik in Zamboanga City have been reduced to around one hectare, occupying only one or two houses.

 

But as most of Malik's followers have secured the perimeter of the area, government troops have yet to move forward and capture the remaining MNLF fighters.

 

However, Gaston reported that the military has promised that the standoff may end soon, noting that more and more rebels have surrendered to the government.

 

He added that around 40 more rebels surrendered to the government Wednesday evening, in addition to the 36 rebels who surrendered and yielded their firearms morning the same day.

 

Ener Misuari, an MNLF commander who came from Zamboanga Sibugay and Nur's newphew, was one of the 36 rebels who surrenders. — with Amanda Fernandez/RSJ, GMA News