AFP assures enough supply for men in Zambo

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday assured that it has enough supplies for the troops fighting against members of the Misuari-led faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

"Ang suporta ng headquarters ay kumpleto: pagkain, baril, bala," AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said. "I hope na itong mga rumors na umiikot, please let’s allow our soldiers to fight."

Zagala was reacting to news reports that some soldiers deployed to secure villages in Zamboanga City have resort to "begging" for food. The reports said that the soldiers were only given porridge.

The military spokesman said that the soldiers in the frontline remained committed to their responsibility to thwart the MNLF's theat to the civilians and the affected areas in the city.

"Nag-aapeal kami sa media na gumagawa ng report na walang pagkain ang mga sundalo. Committed po kami, kung hindi kami makakain, hindi yun dahil walang pagkain," he said.

Zagala declined to divulge how many soldiers have been deployed to prevent the MNLF from occupying more villages and to recover the MNLF-occupied areas in the city.

"Hindi na ako maglalabas kung ilan ang forces natin dito. Basta rest assure na meron kaming sapat na tropa dito," he said.

Zagala reported that a total of 5 policemen and soldiers have been killed and 46 wounded in the standoff.