DILG Central News

Zambo City officials hail Roxas for altruism, leadership during MNLF standoffJanuary 9, 2014

MANILA, Philippines The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Zamboanga City has cited Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas for his “altruistic contribution” and concern for Zamboanguenos during the standoff between government forces and the Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) last year.

Resolution No. 960 titled, “A Resolution Expressing Sincerest Thanks and Gratitude to the Honorable Manuel ‘Mar’ Araneta Roxas II for his Altruistic Contribution and Concern over the Welfare of the People of the City of Zamboanga during the MNLF Bloody Standoff” was unanimously passed by the city council during its regular session held last November 6, 2013.

Those who signed the resolution were Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde; SP Floor Leader Roel Natividad; Assistant Floor Leader Charlie Mariano; and Councilors Melchor Rey Sadain, Rogelio Valesco Jr., Cesar Jimenez Jr., Luis Biel III, Josephine Pareja, Myra Paz Abubakar, Rodolfo Bayot, Benjamin Guingona IV, Miguel Alavar III, Eduardo Saavedra Jr., Percival Ramos, Rommel Angan, Vincent Paul Elago, Abdurahman Nuo and Joanna Mari Mas.
Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco, who furnished the DILG a copy of the resolution, expressed her deep appreciation to the DILG chief for his support during the Zamboanga City crisis.

“On a personal note, and in behalf of the entire officialdom of the City Government of Zamboanga and its people, allow me to convey my sincere gratitude for your altruistic contribution and invaluable services,” Climaco said in her letter to Secretary Roxas.
The City Council, in their resolution, lauded the efforts of Roxas who stayed for 23 days in Zamboanga City to help oversee the government operations against more than 500 heavily-armed MNLF fighters who took hostage about 200 hostages’ last September.“Honorable DILG Secretary Mar Roxas II never left Zamboanga City until and after everybody has been safe and everything has been in order,” the SP resolution stated.

Roxas, President Aquino’s designated alter ego in crisis management, rushed to Zamboanga City with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on the first day that the Misuari forces tried to seize the City Hall and raise the MNLF flag in the government center.

During the 23-day siege, the MNLF gunmen also seized civilian hostages and used them as human shields to thwart off soldiers and policemen who were deployed to restore peace and order in the city. The standoff prompted the evacuation of 118,819 Zamboanga residents, most of whom were rendered homeless after the Misuari forces burned their communities to repel government forces out to rescue civilian hostages.

The City Council, in their resolution, credited Roxas for the successful release of 195 hostages and the return to government control of seven coastal barangays namely Mampang, Talon-Talon, Kasanyangan, Mariki, Rio Hondo, Sta. Catalina and Sta. Barbara.
More than 200 MNLF fighters involved in the attack were arrested and are now detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City facing possible life sentences for rebellion.#

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