False info leads to evacuation in 3 Zambo villages

SPREADING PANIC. Children curiously watch the soldiers and police on foot patrol in Sitio Buggoc, Barangay Sta. Catalina on Wednesday (Oct. 30, 2019) following the reported presence of MNLF members in the barangay. (Photo courtesy: Remus L. Ong via PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The spread of “fake news” coupled with fear and phobia led to the evacuation of hundreds of residents in three barangays of this city on Tuesday night.

The evacuation came as unconfirmed information about the presence of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members in Barangays Sta. Catalina, Kasanyangan, and Talon-Talon spread like wildfire.

“We just joined our neighbors. We are in fear and we already have phobia thinking that MNLF gunmen have again landed in our villages,” said a resident of Sta. Catalina, who requested anonymity.

The barangays of Talon-Talon, Kasanyangan, and Sta. Catalina were among the six villages that were greatly affected in the Zamboanga siege that broke out on September 9, 2013, when MNLF gunmen infiltrated these barangays.

The other three barangays that were greatly affected were Sta. Barbara, Rio Hondo, and Mariki.

Rumors about the presence or arrival of MNLF gunmen spread Tuesday night after it was announced that the city government has turned down the MNLF’s request to conduct a peace and federalism forum in one of the hotels downtown.

Prior to the evacuation, parents have also plucked their children Tuesday afternoon from the Don Gregorio Evangelista Memorial School in Barangay Sta. Catalina.

Dr. Juliet Besas, Don GEMS principal, said they cannot prevent the parents from fetching their children from school because of fear.

“Some of the teachers stayed in their rooms and held classes despite few children were left,” Besas added.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, upon learning of the evacuation, posted an advisory on her social media page and visited the three villages on Tuesday night.

Salazar assured the residents that there is no truth to the information about the arrival of MNLF members here.

Policemen and soldiers have conducted house-to-house verification but did not find any MNLF members in the three areas.

Meanwhile, the MNLF has issued an advisory Wednesday through the social media that they have nothing to do with the supposed forum to be held in this city.

“The Office of the Chairman of the MNLF Central Committee reiterates that it has no involvement in a since-canceled forum that was to be held in Zamboanga City on Wednesday, 30th of October,” the MNLF advisory stated.

“In connection with this, some have spread misinformation of a threat of confrontation between the MNLF and local government forces if the request for the permit of the said event would be denied. These are unfounded accusations and are not true,” the advisory added.