Gov't forces conducting house-to-house search for remaining rebels

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Government forces are now conducting house-to-house search for rebels of the Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who are fleeing from the conflict area, security officials said.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel Roxas in a press briefing said the government forces are now entering a sensitive and dangerous phase of its operations. Fleeing rebels have occupied in Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara and nearby areas.

He said the area of operation, about 3 to 7 hectares, were saturated with closely built houses and narrow alleys.

Roxas said the search and neutralize operation is the result of the 10 days of offensive in flushing out the rebels estimated to be more than 200 fully armed men that invaded the villages of Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara. 

“As of today, we are now entering to a delicate and dangerous part of the operation… Our forces are doing the house to house, block to block clearing operation to assure there no more culprits, bombs or booby traps planted by the rebels,” Roxas said. 

Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director General Felipe Roxas said they have deployed bomb sniffing dogs to check on bombs planted by the rebels in the houses. 

Gen. Roxas said PNP Director General Alan Purisima ordered the house to house search for the Misuari-faction rebels and bombs planted in the area. 

“We will be using bomb sniffing dogs and bomb experts to check for the houses,” Gen. Roxas said. 

He added that security forces will be deployed to secure houses from looting.

Two encounters occurred in Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina Wednesday morning where two rebels were captured with their firearms. 

He said the pockets of resistance remained at the boundary of Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina and boundary of Barangays Rio Hondo and Mampang.

The military said casualties from government troops rose to 14 while 117 were wounded in action since day one of the operation.

He said the rebels have also suffered with 86 killed and 93 captured.

Secretary Roxas said as the operation progressed government forces have already trapped the invaders.

“Nasukol na natin ang mga mananakop. Limitadong-limitado na yong kanilang area of operation,” Secretary Roxas said.

The DILG chief called on the remnants of the rebel groups to cease their resistance and surrender to avoid further bloodshed.