CHIZ HONORS POLICE, SOLDIERS IN ZAMBO SIEGE

Soldiers and policemen who gallantly battled members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) during the Zamboanga crisis are honoured at the Senate through a resolution filed by Senator Chiz Escudero.

Escudero filed Philippine Senate Resolution No. 283 (PSR 283) commending the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police for squarely facing the rogue elements who tried to siege Zamboanga City in August.

The attack resulted to a three-week-long standoff between the national security forces and the MNLF rebels and had claimed hundreds of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. It placed the entire city into a standstill for days.

"The utmost display of dedication and commitment of the AFP and PNP to subdue the enemies of the State despite imminent danger and loss of lives cannot be overstated. They squarely fought the enemies with bravery and gallantry without any reservations. The city is now recapturing its peace and order because of these brave men in uniform," Escudero said.

In the resolution, the senator explained that the accomplishment of the soldiers and the policemen in reinstating and maintaining the gains of peace and order is characterized by their performance of a sworn duty and not by its mere utterance.

"Our men stood by it in an actual battle for country and people. They deserve the Senate's commendation for their heroic performance of their sworn constitutional duty as protectors of the people and the State and as sentinels of peace and order in Zamboanga crisis," Escudero said in the resolution.