1,400 buildings, houses torched in Zambo siege

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Close to 1,400 buildings, structures and houses made of light materials were razed by 15 fire incidents in at least five areas near downtown as the standoff between  government forces and the fighters of the Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) continues.

The fire department official said the fire incidents, which occurred almost daily within the  two weeks of conflict, were set off by the rebels to serve as their cover while fleeing the government forces' offensive.

City fire marshal Superintendent Dominador Zabala Jr. said the estimate was from  city fire district various unit, station fire engine company under the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) which responded to the series of fire incidents that displaced thousands of families lliving in an  estimated 1,367 houses made of light materials and some buildings and structures destroyed by the conflagrations.

Zabala said the areas most affected by fire incidents were barangays Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Mariki, Rihon, Zone 4 and  those in  the Mampang area.

The fire probers which have tried to penetrate the battle zones despite the hostile ground fire from the rebels estimated about P19.668 million worth of properties were damaged by the fire incidents. The amount excludes personal belongings and other properties.

Zabala said since the first day of the siege,  at least 15 fire incidents were recorded and firefighters were only able to  respond to six of them owing to gunfights between security forces and the rebels.