2nd anniversary of Zamboanga siege marked with simple rites

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Officials and residents of this  city held simple ceremonies to mark the second anniversary of the Zamboanga siege.

A mass was held at a chapel in Barangay Sta. Catalina that was attended by villagers affected by the 21-day siege staged by more than 400 Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels. 

Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar gave assurance the city government would do its best to protect its residents as they continue to recover from the siege that left at least 140 people dead. 

Climaco, along with police and military personnel led a flag-raising ceremony in Sitio Sumariki, an islet east of Barangay Kasanyangan. 

Col. Adrelino Colina, commander of Task Group Zamboanga, said the islet was the staging point of MNLF rebels who stormed the city.

“It was also their last defensive stance before our soldiers retook the place and hoisted the flag to declare that war was over,” Colina said. 

Colina appealed for cooperation from the villagers to secure the city, saying it is not the sole responsibility of the men in uniform. 

“The day when the Zamboanga City siege started, there’s nothing to celebrate. Sept. 9, 2013 – this day, this episode is a painful, tragic and dark side of Zamboanga City ’s history,“ Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat said.