Navy rescues 226 fleeing Zamboanga

MANILA, Philippines - Naval forces in Western Mindanao rescued on Wednesday 226 evacuees trapped in the firefight between government forces and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Misuari faction. 

Ltjg. Aemy Leslie Campos, spokesperson of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, said their troops detected 11 motor bancas fleeing toward Tictauan Island at around 7 p.m.

Naval assets within the area intercepted the motor bancas, which carried 226 persons. The passengers were then brought to BRP Bacolod City for questioning. 

The Navy troops found out that the passengers were residents of Barangay Tictabon, Zamboanga City who fled Arena Blanco island due to the clashes between security forces and the MNLF Misuari group. 

“A total of 226 evacuees composed of 45 males, 66 females, and 115 children, were properly accommodated and fed aboard BRP Bacolod City,” Campos said.

The passengers were given canned goods, noodles and biscuits and were provided with medical assistance. 

The passengers were allowed to leave for Tictauan on board their boats on Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the number of individuals affected by the Zamboanga crisis has risen to more than 109,686 persons. 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 109,686 persons or 22,002 families in 14 barangays have been affected by the conflict.

Of this figure, 102,911 individuals or 19,048 families were displaced. 

NDRRMC said 95,099 persons or 17,272 families are staying inside 35 evacuation centers while the rest are staying with their relatives and friends. 

The cost of damage due to fires that resulted from sporadic clashes has reached P4.5 million. A total of 20 houses were totally burned while five were partially damaged.

The government and private groups have provided P34.77 million worth of assistance to the affected residents.