MANILA, (PNA) — With the Zamboanga City crisis now on its 16th day, Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy director for operations Deputy Director Felipe Rojas, Jr., expressed hope that clearing operations will be over by weekend.
“We’re winding down our operations. We hope to end it by this weekend,” he said in a radio interview.
Citing his information, he said there are about 15 more hostages left.
Rojas added that government forces will “press on” with its operations until they are released.
He also belied claims that the forces of Habier Malik, the commander of the Moro National Liberation Front forces in Zamboanga City (MNLF) had increased.
Rojas said clearing operations will be sustained until the MNLF members are removed.
The MNLF started the crisis last September 9 by taking several civilians hostage, but the government has retaken most of the MNLF-controlled areas.