THE LOCAL government of Zamboanga led by Mayor Beng Climaco paid tribute to the fallen and living heroes of the “September 9 Zamboanga Siege” as residents remembered the deadly attacks staged by loyal followers of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chieftain Nur Misuari in 2013.
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| Mayor Beng Climaco |
Climaco said the tribute was also to remember and celebrate the stories of people who sacrificed their precious lives in defense of Zamboanga against infamy. “The 38 fallen heroes of 9-9-13 (September 9, 2013) laid their lives for a cause which is deeply respected and appreciated by all Zamboanguenos,” she said.
In her speech, Climaco said Zamboangueños will forever remember the heroism of those who perished in the siege.
“El ciudad de Zamboanga ya recibi grande golpe por causa del maga MNLF que ya tiene el deseo para ataca con el de atun ciudad. Este tiempo, ta amora kita con de atun maga heroes…heroes desde del AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) y tambien diferente fuerza del militar que ya dale el de ila vida por la amor y proteccion del projimo.”
“En calor de govierno local, este dia ta rinde kita gracias and we pay our tribute to the lives of our heroes – 38 men, women and children; 20 from the Philippine National Police, five from the AFP and 13 civilians – they have given their lives for the protection of Zamboanga City. As we commemorate their heroism, may we never forget the sacrifices that they have given to Zamboanga City by giving their very own life. May we remember them with our prayers to God, to Allah that the Lord will grant them eternal rest. We also recall 13 civilians and more than 300 who died as a consequence of the Zamboanga siege, remembering the three-year old (boy) who was shot in the head and had given his life as well.”
Maj. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo, Director of the Philippine National Police Academy, also gave out a speech from his office in Cavite’s Silang town.
Special Day of Remembrance
Last year, Climaco set September 9 as a “Special Day of Remembrance” in honor of all those who died in the attack.
Supporters of Misuari attacked Zamboanga after declaring independence following their failed attempt to raise the Bangsamoro Republik flag at City Hall. The siege displaced over 100,000 people and affected the economies of Basilan and Sulu which are dependent on Zamboanga for their trades and goods. Misuari publicly denied involvement in the siege of Zamboanga.
In 2016, Climaco – who stood firm against the MNLF during the entire period of the crisis – 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.
Climaco said 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.
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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