60 people flee Zambo, seek refuge in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - At least 60 Zamboangueños, mostly children, sought refuge in Cebu City after fleeing Zamboanga City, where tension between the government troops and Moro rebels remains high.

Maria Theresa Kahal, 45, of Zamboanga City’s Barangay Talon-Talon, said fierce gunfight drove them to flee their place Tuesday morning.

Barangay Talon-Talon is situated between Barangays Santa Barbara and Santa Catalina, the center of the encounter, she said.

“Kusog na kaayo ang bakbakan, daghang nangahulog .50 caliber na mga bala sa among balay,” said Kahal, who was accompanied by relatives and their children.

“Kadtong nag-lie low na ang bakbakan, didto mi nagdalidali og biya,” said Kahal, a Chavakano.

Since day one of the siege by the Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation, it was no ordinary ordeal, said Kahal.

She said she had to eat porridge with her family since they could not go outside to buy food and other needs.

They had to literally lie down on the floor most of the time so stray bullets would not hit them. They barely slept, she said.

She only heaved a sigh of relief when they reached Dipolog City.

Onboard a Forward Elf and a Montero car, the group left Zamboanga City at 8 a.m. and reached Dipolog City by 5 p.m.

They arrived at Cebu City at 5 p.m. on Wednesday and are now staying at the rented house of Kahal’s daughter, Sarah Mae Basilio, in Tres de Abril St., Barangay Labangon.

“Bahala’g way pagkaon o sinina nadala, basta dia na mi diri sa akong anak unya peaceful sad diri,” she said.

Kahal, worrying about her trucking business, said they will return to Zamboanga City once the tension ceases.

Her nephew Neil Alden Angeles, 7, had to stop attending school due to the crisis.

“Natakot ako sa mga bala, baka matamaan kami,” the Grade 2 pupil said.

Asked if he wants to return to his hometown, the boy initially said no but later on nodded. “Nandoon ang bahay namin,” he said.

While staying here, Kahal is asking the support of the Cebu City government since they were not able to bring anything aside from a few clothes.

“Unta matabangan mi bisan og gamay lang sinina, bugas,” she said. — /LPM (FREEMAN)