Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Evacuation Center
14 September 2013

As tension continues in Zamboanga City, President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Joaquin F. Memorial Sports Complex to check on the situation of the evacuees who took refuge there since Monday (September 9).

Based on the latest report, there are at least 44,000 individuals, composed of an estimated number of 7,000 families, who went to the sports complex to avoid the standoff between the military and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

President Aquino reiterated that the evacuees are not alone in facing the problem brought by the clash. “Talagang nakatutok po ang inyong pamahalaan upang asikasuhin ang mga pangangailangan ninyo,” he assured.

He said that food supply in the city will not be affected as he instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to monitor that supplies are constant. He added that the Department of Health (DOH) will provide medical assistance to the evacuees.

He then asked the people for their cooperation regarding the problem, saying, “magtulungan po tayo, malalampasan natin ito sa lalong madaling panahon.”

As it entered its sixth day, there are a total of 62,239 residents of Zamboanga City affected by the ongoing conflict.

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