NDRRMC: 82K affected by Zamboanga crisis

MANILA, Philippines - More than 82,000 persons from 15 barangays have been affected by the crisis in Zamboanga, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday.

In a report, NDRRMC said a total of 82,106 persons or 16,533 families have been affected in 14 barangays in Zamboanga City and one barangay in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Of the affected residents, 67,845 individuals or 13,028 families have been displaced and are now staying inside 24 evacuation centers.

Majority of the evacuees, more than 50,000 of them, are at the Joaquin Enriquez Sports Complex in Zamboanga City.

Forced evacuation has been implemented in barangays Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Rio-Hondo, Mampang, Talon-Talon and Mariki amid sporadic clashes between state forces and followers of Moro National Liberation Front founder Nur Misuari.

Zamboanga City remains under level 4 crisis management due to the violent incidents in the area. A total of 25 houses have been burned or damaged due to the armed encounters.

NDRRMC said the Zamboanga crisis has so far damaged at least P4.5 million worth of properties. The properties were damaged by a fire that hit parts of Sta. Barbara, Rio-Hondo and Kasanyangan.

Flights and sea travels departing from and bound for Zamboanga City have been canceled since Sept. 9.

Rural transit buses to and from Zamboanga City have resumed operations since Monday. However, some local forms of public transport in six affected barangays remain paralyzed.  

NDRRMC said a total of P5.73 million worth of assistance has been provided to affected residents.

The Zamboanga City Crisis Management Center is conducting cleaning operations in the evacuation centers to ensure the well-being of the evacuees.