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| Southeast Asia |
| Zamboanga security forces prepared for more MNLF attacks |
| 2014-09-04 |
| Nur Misuari's renewed declaration of Mindanao's independence and talk of "movements" by Moro National Liberation Front fighters have sparked rumors of another impending MNLF attack on the city, and security officials say they are not taking the rumors lightly. Colonel Andrelino Colina, commander of the military-led Joint Task Group Zamboanga, said that the authorities have put in place what he called the "Guardian Shield," an elaborate security plan to protect the city from an attack similar to one the MNLF carried out in September 2013. Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, the city's police chief, said another reason Guardian Shield was created was to give residents a chance to "commemorate the September siege in a positive way as Zamboangueños rise from the incident with dignity." Casimiro said, "We do not want the September 2013 incident to happen again," adding that Guardian Shield, which entailed the deployment of more troops, was seen as a "permanent defense plan for the city." At least 140 people, including about a dozen civilians, were killed in nearly a month of fighting in the incident. Thousands of houses and other buildings were razed. Habib Mudjahab Hashim, chairman of the MNLF Islamic Command Council, admitted receiving text messages about another plot to lay siege to the city by his colleagues in the MNLF. But he said he did not give credence to the text messages as even security officials had not verified these to be legitimate. Hashim said he suspected that the unverified reports were being spread around by "people who would only like to sow fear and panic." He said launching an attack was the farthest thing from the mind of Misuari, who is now more concerned about his safety. Misuari faces arrest warrants for his alleged role in the September 2013 seige. He said the reported MNLF movements may be part of gatherings to commemorate the Sept. 2, 1996 peace accord, which he described as historic for the erstwhile rebel group. |
| Posted by:ryuge |