Fire hits Zambo as hostilities enter 7th day; death toll up at 62

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A fire at the boundary of two villages occupied by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) broke out on the seventh day of hostilities in Zamboanga City on Monday.

This, as the number of fatalities in the hostilities in the city climbed to 62.

The local fire bureau said that the blaze, the eighth incident since the MNLF faction of Nur Misuari attacked villages in the city last week, was razing abandoned houses in Sitio Lustre.

The hamlet is located between the villages of Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina, where several followers of Misuari remained holed up.

Senior Superintendent Dominador Zabala Jr., city fire marshal, said that the rebels fired at their personnel when they attempted to enter the sitio.

“The rebels firing at our personnel and firetrucks have prevented us,” Zabala said.

Maj. Angelo Guzman, deputy spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said that the number of fatalities in the ongoing standoff between the rebels and government security forces has ballooned to 62.

Guzman said that three of the fatalities were military personnel, three more were policemen, five were civilians and 51 were members of the MNLF.

He added that 105 people, including 23 civilians, have also been injured.

The security forces that at least 11 MNLF rebels were captured during Sunday's operations.

Guzman said that a total of 48 rebels have been captured since the hostilities broke out last week.

The AFP added that a total of 183 civilians were still being held as hostages by Misuari's followers.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that a total of 67,316 people have been affected by the hostilities in Zamboanga City.

Out of the said number, a total of 58,051 are staying in 22 evacuation centers. Majority of the evacuees are in the Joaquin Enriquez Sports Complex.