Civilians trapped in Zambo building – HRW

MANILA, Philippines – An estimated 300 civilians are trapped in an ice plant building in Barangay Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City, as the standoff between government forces and followers of Nur Misuari entered its 8th day.

READ: Day 8: Explosions, gunfire in Zamboanga City

In a statement on Monday, September 16, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said other civilians remain trapped in at least 5 villages in the city because they either could not leave the area for fear of getting caught in the crossfire or are being stopped from leaving by soldiers and policemen.

“Others could not leave because they did not have the money to pay operators of outrigger boats, which became the only safe way to escape the coastal villages caught up in the fighting,” HRW said.

WATCH: Fighting continues in Zamboanga 

“Both sides to the fighting need to be doing more to protect civilians from harm,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Government forces should not be making blanket assumptions about whether individuals are rebels based on whether they have proper documents or not. Officials can check those leaving the conflict zone, but they need to ensure that civilians have safe passage and are not put at unnecessary risk.”

The army said Monday a total of 62 people have been killed in the clashes as of Sunday, September 15: 3 from the army, 3 from the police, 5 civilians, and 51 from the rebels. A total of 105 others have been wounded.

At least 183 people are still held hostage, held in different groups by 6 rebel commanders in Barangays Sta Catalina and Sta Barbara, the military added.

HRW said as that as of September 14, as many as 500 homes in Zamboanga City were razed. The fighting has displaced 69,000 people, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

READ: Bakwet: the darker side of the Zamboanga crisis 

The Misuari group is denouncing government for ignoring its plea to review the 1996 peace agreement with the Ramos government, which the rebels say has not been fully implemented.

The human rights group is calling on government to take “all necessary measures” to reduce the risk against civilians even as it runs after the gunmen. The military may have violated  the laws of war “by turning the largest hospital in Zamboanga City, the Zamboanga City Medical Center, into a veritable garrison,” HRW added.

It noted that the military has stationed its forces in the hospital, “even sending snipers to two spots on the rooftop to fire on rebels a few hundred meters way.”

According to HRW, residents who managed to escape said they feared that “civilians left behind would be accused of being rebels and could be subject to government attack or mistreatment in custody.”

“Aside from demanding documentation, it is unclear how the authorities are distinguishing civilians from rebel fighters as required by international law. Police sources told Human Rights Watch that more than half of the individuals arrested since September 9 have subsequently been released,” HRW added.

READ: Death toll over 50

“Civilians who fled their homes without proper documents are still civilians and must be treated that way,” Adams said. “Even though this is a very complicated situation, the military and the police cannot take shortcuts by jeopardizing the rights of the civilian population.” – Rappler.com