PNoy heads to Zambo amid standoff

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has flied to Zamboanga City on Friday to personally assess the crisis situation that has entered on its fifth day.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said past 10 a.m. on Twitter that Aquino has arrived in Zamboanga City where the standoff between government forces and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) continues.

President Aquino has arrived in Zamboanga to personally assess the situation on the ground.

— Ricky Carandang (@rickycarandang) September 13, 2013

The Zamboanga standoff is now on its fifth day after the MNLF rebels occupied several coastal barangays in Zamboanga City Monday and reportedly tried to conduct a "peace rally."

The rebels reportedly used scores of residents as human shields while an encounter with government forces on Thursday  ignited a fire that razed several houses.

Thousands have been evacuated due to the five-day standoff.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said those behind the standoff were opposed to the Bangsamoro peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

He warned the rogue MNLF members that the government is prepared to use force to solve the crisis situation.

"While the government is exhausting all avenues for a peaceful resolution to the situation, let it be clear to those defying us that they should not entertain the illusion that the state will hesitate to use its forces to protect our people," Lacierda said in a statement on Thursday.