ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A ruling issued by a Pasig court ordering the release of 42 suspected members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) tagged in the Zamboanga siege surprised the city government and residents.
Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar vowed to pursue the case to attain justice, particularly for all those who have died and in honor of the city’s sovereignty .
Jimmy Villaflores, chairman of Barangay Sta. Catalina, which was among the villages destroyed in the attack, said he was saddened by the decision.
City legal officer and former judge Jesus Carbon said they have yet to receive a copy of the court order.
Carbon said the decision surprised them as a motion for the dismissal of the cases against the 42 accused has yet to be heard Monday next week.
He said he tried but failed to contact state prosecutor Peter Medella.
The city legal office wants to examine the records and the decision to determine the grounds for the dismissal.
Carbon said the city has a strong case against the suspects, citing several witnesses, including a priest who was taken hostage by the rebels, soldiers and police officers.