Mayor shortens Zambo City curfew hours

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The local crisis management committee (CMC) has shortened the curfew hours as the situation in the besieged city continues to normalize.

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, the concurrent chairperson of the CMC, said they have shortened the number of curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4a.m  to 12 midnight to 4 a.m. starting Thursday following the recommendation of the police and the military.

“Security situation is beginning to normalize but we have to continue our vigilance,” Salazar said.

The mayor said the curfew will remain until the security forces gives the CMC the clearance to lift its implementation.

The local crisis management imposed the curfew for more than a month following the attack of at least 500 rebels of the Moro National Liberation Front last September 9.

The city was shut down for 22 days as government troops retake the villages infiltrated by the rebels loyal to MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari.

More than 200 rebels and 24 government personnel were killed.

Close to 300 rebels were also captured and more than 100,000 civilians were evacuated at the height of the conflict.