Palace: No cease-fire in Zamboanga

MANILA - There will be no cease-fire yet in Zamboanga City as far as Malacanang is concerned. The Palace said a truce will only work if MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari's followers stop firing at soldiers and surrender. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said there is no timetable to end the conflict. But she assured residents government is doing everything it can to neutralize Misuari's men. "Katulad lang ng sinabi ng Pangulo kahapon, kung wala ho 'yang mga bihag, at wala hong mga sibilyan na posibleng maapektuhan ay tapos na po ito. Ngunit dahil meron po tayong mga kababayan na nilagay po nila sa peligro...dahil kinuha nga nilang hostage ay kailangang calibrated, kailangang hindi ho produkto ng init ng ulo...katulad nga ho ng sinabi ng mga kasama natin sa baba, it's easy to pull the trigger of a gun but it's different when you're there and it's different when there are civilians involved." Valte also said measures have been taken to prevent the violence in Zamboanga City from spilling over to other areas. "The President had already given instructions early on to make sure that they would not be able to strike anywhere hindi lang po 'yun kasali doon sa areas ng Mindanao. As you've seen, doon sa Lamitan, we were able to intercept twice already," she said. ANC, September 20, 2013