Zambo government: No permit for MNLF peace rally

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines– The city government here will not issue a permit for any rally to be conducted by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). 

Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar also placed the police, military and the city disaster risk reduction management council on alert amid reports that MNLF members would gather here for a peace rally.  

“I’m giving a categorical no to any permit to rally in this city,” Salazar said during a visit to the police office here on Wednesday. 

“Hold it in your area. Zamboanga will not welcome a rally by the MNLF….You still have to be held accountable for the killings and devastation,” she said, referring to the bloody siege in September 2013. 

The 21-day siege staged by more than 400 MNLF members left at least 140 people dead.

Salazar said thousands of families displaced by the siege have yet to be resettled as the rehabilitation of affected areas and construction of permanent housing have yet to be completed.