Zamboanga City puts closure to deadly siege

ZAMBOANGA CITY - The city finally on Monday put a closure to the painful memories of the devastation caused by the Nur Misuari-faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) last September, through a special memorial for the fallen and living heroes of the Zamboanga siege.

The emotionally packed special memorial dubbed as “A Tribute to Heroes” was held at the Plaza Rizal, fronting the city hall, the main site where the MNLF rebels under thre Misuari-faction planned to capture and hoist their flag to declare independence last September 9.

White balloons with paper tags of the names of the police, military and civilians who gave their lives were released after a new Philippine banner was raised and fluttered at the blue morning skies as a way to pay tribute to their gallantry in defending the city.

The fallen heroes given honors were members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines including — Petty Officer 3 Jose Audrey A. Bañares, Private First Class Julmuin J. Abdulahid, Pfc Jeffrey N. Castillo, Corporal Mark Herson G. Caranzo, Cpl. Michael G. Baltazar, Pfc Albin P. Dayna, and Private Sergio T. Buagas Jr., Cpl. Allan R. Camerino, Pfc Jay P. Olivar, 1st Lieutenant John Kristopher B. Rama, , S/Sergeant Josefino B. Servilla, 2nd Lt. Florencio Mikael E. Meneses, 1Lt. Francis G. Damian, Cpl. Jesichris N. Reyeg, Cpl. Joseph M. Custodio, Pfc Juffel G. Olaer, Pfc Efren Pareñas, Cpl. Eduardo C. Saquing, Pfc Ian O. Paquit, and Cpl. Hakim I. Jaafar.

The fallen policemen were Police Officer 2 Christopher R. Hernaez , PO3 Murphy Abbilani, Inspector Jay Oy-oyan , PO2 Enrique Espejo Afable III and PO2 Lawin Balokey Salisa.

The city government led by Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar honored the military and police officials who spearheaded in protecting the city during the invasion.

Among those honored were retired and former Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, 1st Army Division chief Brig. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad, 102nd Brigade Col. Ignacio Obligacion, 32nd Army Battalion Lt. Col. Johnson Aseron, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the Light Reaction Company (LRC), Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM0 chief Rear Admiral Isabelo Gador, Task Force Zamboanga chief col. Andrelino Colina, 3rd Air Division, Police Regional Office (PRO) director Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño and his deputy for operation Senior Superintendent Ramon Ochotorena, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippine (JSOTF-P), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who played heroes at the height of the crisis.

City government employees, students of various institutions, police and military forces went emotional as Huey helicopters from the 3rd Air Division dropped a confetti of flowers that showered the honor site.

“Today we honor our heroes who gave their lives from the police and military, and civilian sector,” Salazar said.

Salazar said the event also signifies the city's putting a closure to the siege of the MNLF rebels, which rendered the city isolated for more than 20 days.

“We called it closure which is the counseling term so that the victims affected by the crisis will be able to say goodbye to the pains and the wounds. The pain will always be there, but we have also to honor the memories of those who have given their lives to give meaning after their suffering that we have moved on to function with life again. To have gratitude for the heroes who gave their lives and welcome to what awaits us,” Salazar said.