DESPITE THE difficult battle against Covid-19, Mayor Beng Climaco continues to work even harder to ensure the welfare of the Zamboangueños amid the health crisis.
In a virtual meeting just last week, Climaco convened the Local Inter-Agency Committee to make sure the continuity of infrastructure projects and programs in Rio Hondo and Asinan, Kasanyangan to help alleviate the plight of families displaced by the 2013 Zamboanga siege.
During the meeting, Climaco and the LIAC members discussed updates on the rehabilitation of foot bridges, the pipe laying project, the construction of sewerage treatment plant in Rio Hondo and Asinan, Kasanyangan and the construction of additional temporary shelters at Omar Property in Rio Hondo.
The siege displaced over 200,000 people and affected the economies of Basilan and Sulu which are dependent on Zamboanga for their trades and goods after hundreds of armed supporters of Nur Misuari, the chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, attacked Zamboanga in September 2013 after declaring independence, and their failed attempt to raise the Bangsamoro Republik flag at City Hall.
Misuari has publicly denied involvement in the siege of Zamboanga and seven years after the deadly siege, residents here are still crying for justice.
Last year, Climaco set September 9 as a “Special Day of Remembrance” in honor of all those who perished in the siege that lasted for 3 weeks.
In 2016, Climaco – who stood firm against the MNLF during the entire period of the crisis – has banned any so-called peace rally or gathering of the MNLF members in Zamboanga City.
She said such rallies will not be allowed in the as this might disturb Zamboanga anew. “I am giving you a categorical no; you must not disturb Zamboanga anymore. If you want to come up with your rally, make it in your area, Zamboanga will not welcome a rally by MNLF, not at this time because you still have to be accountable with the killings and devastations we are suffering from,” Climaco said in the past.
“The destruction wrought by the 2013 siege continues to linger, as internally displaced persons – both Muslims, Christians and Lumads, most of whom are those who eluded the conflicts in Sulu and Basilan – have suffered the brunt of the MNLF attack in Zamboanga,” she said.
Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, he said there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.
Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
It was the second attack by MNLF in the past decade. In November 2001, hundreds of MNLF members occupied the Cabatangan Complex and held hostage dozens of civilians, including children; and another group also attacked a military base in Sulu province in an effort to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region after Misuari was ousted as governor.
More than 100 people were killed in the fighting and in the end, then Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat allowed the attackers to leave Zamboanga in exchange for the hostages.
Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and was eventually pardoned and released by President Gloria Arroyo in exchange for MNLF support to her election bid as well as her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004.
He also ran several times for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost. Now, President Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted to resume the peace process with Misuari and ordered police and military not to arrest the MNLF chieftain. (Zamboanga Post)
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A photo of Mayor Beng Climaco in the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung 2019 write-up entitled "Maria Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar: The Defender in Chief". The article is first published on the book, Compelled by Duty, Conscripted by Destiny: Portraits of 16 Asian Women at the Frontline of Democratic Struggle, authored by John Joseph S. Coronel. In cooperation with the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats.)
In a virtual meeting just last week, Climaco convened the Local Inter-Agency Committee to make sure the continuity of infrastructure projects and programs in Rio Hondo and Asinan, Kasanyangan to help alleviate the plight of families displaced by the 2013 Zamboanga siege.
During the meeting, Climaco and the LIAC members discussed updates on the rehabilitation of foot bridges, the pipe laying project, the construction of sewerage treatment plant in Rio Hondo and Asinan, Kasanyangan and the construction of additional temporary shelters at Omar Property in Rio Hondo.
The siege displaced over 200,000 people and affected the economies of Basilan and Sulu which are dependent on Zamboanga for their trades and goods after hundreds of armed supporters of Nur Misuari, the chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, attacked Zamboanga in September 2013 after declaring independence, and their failed attempt to raise the Bangsamoro Republik flag at City Hall.
Misuari has publicly denied involvement in the siege of Zamboanga and seven years after the deadly siege, residents here are still crying for justice.
Last year, Climaco set September 9 as a “Special Day of Remembrance” in honor of all those who perished in the siege that lasted for 3 weeks.
In 2016, Climaco – who stood firm against the MNLF during the entire period of the crisis – has banned any so-called peace rally or gathering of the MNLF members in Zamboanga City.
She said such rallies will not be allowed in the as this might disturb Zamboanga anew. “I am giving you a categorical no; you must not disturb Zamboanga anymore. If you want to come up with your rally, make it in your area, Zamboanga will not welcome a rally by MNLF, not at this time because you still have to be accountable with the killings and devastations we are suffering from,” Climaco said in the past.
“The destruction wrought by the 2013 siege continues to linger, as internally displaced persons – both Muslims, Christians and Lumads, most of whom are those who eluded the conflicts in Sulu and Basilan – have suffered the brunt of the MNLF attack in Zamboanga,” she said.
Misuari signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 ending decades of bloody war. After the peace agreement was signed, Misuari became the governor of the Muslim autonomous region. But despite the peace accord, he said there was a widespread disillusionment with the weak autonomy they were granted.
Under the peace agreement, Manila would have to provide a mini-Marshal Plan to spur economic development in Muslim areas in the south and livelihood and housing assistance to tens of thousands of former rebels to uplift their poor living standards.
It was the second attack by MNLF in the past decade. In November 2001, hundreds of MNLF members occupied the Cabatangan Complex and held hostage dozens of civilians, including children; and another group also attacked a military base in Sulu province in an effort to stop the elections in the Muslim autonomous region after Misuari was ousted as governor.
More than 100 people were killed in the fighting and in the end, then Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat allowed the attackers to leave Zamboanga in exchange for the hostages.
Misuari then escaped by boat to Malaysia, where he had been arrested and deported to the Philippines and was eventually pardoned and released by President Gloria Arroyo in exchange for MNLF support to her election bid as well as her allies in the Senate and Congress in 2004.
He also ran several times for governor in Sulu even while under detention, but lost. Now, President Rodrigo Duterte said he wanted to resume the peace process with Misuari and ordered police and military not to arrest the MNLF chieftain. (Zamboanga Post)
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