ZAMBOANGA CITY - Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Monday lifted the curfew imposed in the entire city following the attack of members of the Moro National Liberation Front last September.
Climaco said that the curfew was lifted after the local crisis management committee (CMC) was deactivated and transitioned to a rehabilitation committee under the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC).
“Normalcy has been restored and the focus now is the rehabilitation phase,†said Salazar.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional director Taha Arakama said the lifting of the curfew was based on the resolution of the CMC and the recommendation of the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ), the military unit securing the city under Col. Adrelino Colina and the City Police Office.
“In view of the lifting of the curfew, it is understood that the security problem has already ceased and therefore the CMC shall cease and the function shall be turned over to the CDRRMC which will in turn supervise the rehabilitation aspect of the city,†Arakama said.
The curfew was imposed at the height of the siege to track down the remaining rebels who were able to blend in to the communities after government troops recovered the five barangays taken by the MNLF fighters, who are loyal to the group's founder, Nur Misuari.
Scores of civilian violators were apprehended for violating the curfew.
Senior Superintendent Dennis Basngi, city police chief, said they have shifted to normal security measures, but assured that tighter security around the city will continue to be implemented.