PNoy vows continued support for Zambo evacuees

MANILA - President Benigno Aquino III visited the Zamboanga City sports complex on Saturday morning to personally check on the situation of 24,000 evacuees. Aquino assured the displaced residents of the government's continued assistance and appealed for their cooperation. The President also reassured evacuees that the government will not cease efforts to quell armed attacks in Zamboanga. An estimated 60,000 residents have been affected by skirmishes amid the continuing standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction of Nur Misuari and government forces. Authorities fear that number could rise after Zamboanga officials ordered the forced evacuation of families in the conflict zone. On Friday, Aquino said ongoing tensions in Zamboanga have not affected negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He said it may even speed up the crafting of the peace deal with the MILF to eventually achieve lasting peace in Mindanao. Both panels are currently discussing the remaining annexes of the agreement in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The fighting in Zamboanga has killed 52 people and left at least 66 others wounded, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).