Troops step up security in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - The military is working to rebuild the confidence of the residents affected by the deadly siege to the government forces by ensuring security, according to official.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, public affairs chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said they need to maintain the strong presence of military security owing to lingering fears among residents affected by the three-week siege in September by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels led by Ustadz Habier Malik under the  faction of Nur Misuari.

Some residents here have remained jittery over rumors that the renegade forces of Malik and Misuari, who both remain at large, will stage a repeat attack in this city.

Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said they are enhancing the security posture that will be protecting the city with the declaration of normalcy in the area.

He said the Westmincom is supporting the Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ), the military unit securing the city, to enhance the security environment.

Guerrero said there will be no additional deployment of troops but the mode of providing security will be enhanced to assuage the fear of the residents with constant reports of sightings of armed men.

“We have appropriate forces to secure the city, plus the security forces have augmentation in terms of providing them information outside the areas as we closely monitored the movement of the threat groups in the nearby provinces,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero said they are also validating information to confirm and monitor threats.

“We don’t want to leave any stones unturned so we conduct physical validation. We check from the other agencies, we imposed security measures,” Guerrero added.

The military said the threat of possible repeat of attack came about has been lingering owing to the failure to recover the body of Malik who was reported to be among those rebels killed in the three-week gunbattle.

Zagala said while there is no proof yet that Malik is alive or dead he assured residents in Zamboanga City that the military  will  have a strong presence in the area.

“What we can do really is to assure the public that the Armed Forces will be here for you at any given time and that (our presence)  will be doubled. That’s what we are here for,” Zagala said.

The military official said they also hope to find out about Malik's status.

“But I know it is important if we find him. But in that aspect, the assurance of the Armed Forces if there is presence of any threat, not just Malik, is that you can rely on your armed forces,” Zagala said.

“I believed we are now on that road on confidence building and we will be gaining it soon,” Zagala added.