Trapped in Zambo down to 87

MANILA, Philippines - Security forces in Zamboanga City have managed to rescue more civilians caught in the standoff with suspected Moro National Liberation Front  in some parts of the city, the Philippine National Police reported Monday.

Quoting police personnel from Police Regional Office in Western Mindanao, PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac said police and military brought the 200 civilians trapped in Brgy. Sta Catalina to just 87 as of this posting.

The civilians in Sta. Catalina decided to holed up in their residences and establishments in the area after the firefight between government forces and MNLF rebels, reportedly allied to former ARMM governor Nur Misuari, began early morning Monday.

Aside from Sta. Catalina, reports said that MNLF fighters were also holed up in four of the 98 villages of the city.

Meanwhile, Sindac said that due to the ongoing standoff, Zamboanga city mayor Maria Isabel Climaco has imposed a curfew from 8pm until 5 am.
 
Official police report showed that four persons, including a policeman and Navy personnel, were killed while 24 others were wounded during the clash.