By Antonet Go
ZAMBOANGA CITY, (PNA) -– Interior Sec. Manuel Roxas, II announced the offensive of the security forces is “now entering clearing operations” stage as the standoff enters the 10th day.
The standoff started last Sept 9 when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front infiltrated this city through the shores of Barangay Rio Hondo and nearby barangays.
Roxas disclosed the biggest area occupied by the MNLF rebels in the adjoining barangays of Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina was about six to seven hectares and the smallest was three hectares.
Roxas said the clearing operation is to ensure there are no booby traps as well as there are no more MNLF rebels in the areas they have abandoned.
There are several houses that are closely built to each other in the areas the MNLF have occupied when they infiltrated this city.
The offensive enters the clearing operation stage as the remaining MNLF rebels, which Roxas placed at around 50 to 70 people, are constricted to a particular area and are continuously pounced by the government forces.
He did not disclose the specific place where the remaining MNLF rebels are constricted, citing operational matters.
Philippine National Police Chief for Operations Deputy-Director Felipe Rojas, Jr. disclosed they will utilize bomb-sniffing dogs as the clearing operation will be done house-to-house.
Rojas said there are still pockets of resistance in the adjoining areas of Rio Hondo, Sta. Barbara and Sta. Catalina.