2 war-ravaged villages in Zambo City cleared

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Security forces have cleared two of the four barangays that were affected by the 20-day standoff between government troops and members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) loyal to Nur Misuari.

Task Force Suyud led by Police Director Carmelo Valmoria reported that Barangay Rio Hondo and Zone IV have been cleared of unexploded ordnances, booby traps, firearms and possible presence of MNLF stragglers, who escaped the government forces offensive.

The two villages, along with the barangays of Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina, were devastated by the 20-day standoff.

Although the MNLF rebels failed to breach Barangay Zone IV, where a number of the government vital installations are located, the village was shut down due to its proximity from the battle zone.

At least 2,006 establishments classified as burned, slightly damaged and totally damaged, were subjected to the police's clearing operation. Of the said number, 23 are government buildings, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Hall of Justice, the Central Bank of the Philippines, and the Land Bank of the Philippines.

More than 10,000 houses were torched by the rebels during the siege.

The task force's members have so far recovered 396 unexploded ordnance, 19 firearms and 53 cadavers and skeletal remains.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, chairman of the local crisis management committee, said that the task force is now fully focused on the clearing of Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina.

The clearing operations started last September 29, following the government's declaration that the standoff has ended.

The rehabilitation of the villages ravaged by the MNLF's hostilities will start right after the clearing operations.