Zambo City mayor to continue seeking justice for victims of 2013 siege

May 28, 2018

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Monday declared that the city government will fight for justice for the victims of the 2013 Zamboanga siege after a court ordered the release of 96 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who were involved in the 21-day fighting.

“I am still positively hoping that justice will be served to the victims of the Zamboanga Siege and the remaining 100 MNLF (members) accused shall be held accountable for the crimes committed,” Salazar said.

Nearly 30 policemen and soldiers were killed along with more than 10 civilians caught in the crossfire.

The 2013 siege has  displaced over 100,000 people. Some remain in transitory sites until now.

The military reported more than 100 MNLF members were killed.

Salazar said the court has ordered the release of the 96 MNLF members “despite the efforts by the City of Zamboanga through the City Legal Officer before the Supreme Court with prayer for a temporary restraining order, stopping the release of the accused MNLF members.”

She said the release of the 96 MNLF members was a result of the plea bargaining agreement entered into by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the accused, which resulted to a downgrade of the penalty imposed on them.

The MNLF members were accused of rebellion and two counts of violation of the International Humanitarian Law.

The plea bargaining agreement reduced the charges of rebellion and IHL violations, which are punishable by life imprisonment, to a lesser crime of illegal assembly with much lesser penalty of prison term for at least four years.

“The City Government is saddened by the release of the accused MNLF members but will continue to fight for justice despite the recent order of the Regional Trial Court,” Salazar said.

The freed 96 MNLF members arrived Monday morning here aboard a C-130  cargo plane en route to Basilan, Sulu and Zamboanga Sibugay.

The siege began on November 9 when hundreds of MNLF members loyal to their founding chairman Nur Misuari attempted to march towards City Hall to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republic.

They occupied at least four coastal villages in this city when government troops stopped them. DMS