Zambo City gov't shortens curfew hours outside critical areas

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippines - Mayor Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Monday announced that the local crisis management committee has shortened the number of curfew hours in areas outside the conflict zone.

Climaco said that the curfew in areas not directly affected by the standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the government will start from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, meanwhile, will still be implemented in the critical areas including Zone 4, Sta. Catalina, Sta. Barbara, Rio Hondo, Mariki, Kasanyangan, Talon-talon, Mampang, Arena Blanco and Tugbungan.

Pocholo Soliven, president of the Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI), said that the adjusted curfew hours outside the critical areas would be good for the business community, which has suffered since the MNLF attacked the city last September 9.

“If we have to follow the schedule, our workers have to do the early accounting in the early afternoon because they have to go home early because of the 8 p.m. curfew,” Soliven said.

The authorities have not issued the clearance for the evacuees to return to their homes located in critical areas.

The operations in city government offices located near the city hall's main building and its annex have resumed on Monday.

Salazar, meanwhile, said that regular classes have resumed in areas outside the critical zone. However, she said security in the schools remained very strict.