Zamboanga Solidarity Bridge: People to people solidarity and understanding

  • A continuing advocacy in support of IDPs and lobby support for human rights issues and peace process.
  • Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW) initiated a Solidarity Mission entitled PUENTE DE SOLIDARIDAD (Solidarity Bridge) in coordination with the Peace Advocates Zamboanga (PAZ), Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace (ISP), Southeast Asia Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (SEA-GPPAC), last November 6-9, 2013.

BACKGROUND

The Zamboanga City crisis was an armed conflict in Zamboanga City, Philippines between the forces of the Republic of the Philippines and a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front, generally known by other factions as the Rogue MNLF Elements (RME) under the Sulu State Revolutionary Command (SSRC) led by Ustadz Habier Malik and Khaid Ajibon, whose group continues to recognize Nur Misuari as MNLF Chairman. The crisis erupted on September 9, 2013 when this MNLF faction attempted to raise the flag of the self-proclaimed Bangsamoro Republik at Zamboanga City Hall, which had earlier declared its independence on August 12, 2013 in Talipao, Sulu. This armed incursion, which has been variously described a “crisis”, a “standoff”, a “siege”, and a “humanitarian crisis”, was met by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), which sought to free the hostages and expel the MNLF from the city. The standoff degenerated into urban warfare, and had brought parts of the city under a standstill for days.

The clashes has caused the displacement of more than 100,000 people, the occupation of several barangays (villages) by the MNLF, the deaths of several civilians, the closure of the Zamboanga International Airport (which has since been reopened), and the slowdown of economic activity in the city.

On September 28, the government declared the end of military operations in Zamboanga City. Commander Malik, reportedly the leader of the MNLF forces, remains at large, and several skirmishes are still being regularly reported. [Source : Wikipedia]