Zambo clearing operations over this coming week – AFP

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The military hopes to complete next week its clearing operations in areas seized last month by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters loyal to Nur Misuari.

Military officials said soldiers were combing vast areas for unexploded ordnance, discarded weapons and munitions, and even remains of civilians and MNLF gunmen.

Lt. Col. Randolf Sino Cruz, spokesman of the Task Force ZamPeLan (Zamboanga Peninsula and Lanao), said police and military forces under the Task Force Suyud were double-checking areas previously considered cleared to make sure there are no more threats to the safety of civilians.

He said the local crisis management committee would ultimately decide if it would be safe for affected civilians to return to their communities.

“They have been going back and rechecking the area because there are also swampy areas but it’s almost 100 percent cleared,” Sino Cruz said.

He said they would leave no stone unturned to ensure the safety of the places where civilians will take over.

The clearing operation covers 40 hectares of devastated communities that came under siege for 22 days beginning Sept. 9. The clearing operations have so far yielded 46 human remains, 158 firearms, and dozens of unexploded bombs.

Heavy rains and flash floods hampered the operations.