ZAMBOANGA CRISIS: 8 PM TO 5 AM CURFEW SET

Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue (did you know this is Nunez Extension's present name!)

For the past three nights, the authorities have set an 8 pm to 5 am CURFEW for the City of Zamboanga. 

From the Philippine Inquirer dated September 9, 2013

MANILA, Philippines – Curfew was imposed in Zamboanga City on Monday following a standoff between government troops and  Moro National Liberation Front gunmen.

“With the current situation in the City, Mayor Beng Climaco is declaring the imposition of curfew in Zamboanga City starting 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.,” the Zamboanga City posted in its Twitter account.

Curfew was authorized by the city council, which met on a special session Monday afternoon, it added.

“Only people working directly in managing situation will be permitted to go around the city including those in the medical profession,” it also said.

Those working for evacuation and distribution of relief goods are permitted to go around the city...

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/484233/8-p-m-to-5-a-m-curfew-up-in-zambo-city-classes-work-suspended#ixzz2ebrNIYaq 
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Let us just follow the rules since this actually keeps us safe... no mistaken identities... decreased risk for stray bullets... no risk for hostage-taking... no unnecessary interrogations and detentions... and no unnecessary movements in the streets which confuses issues!

It does sound strange, but everything is strange in this unusual time of Crisis!

Curfews... MNLF... hovering choppers... no inbound and outbound flights... no banks... no businesses... no stores... people in fear and panic... escape... hostage taking... bloodshed... poor policemen and soldiers in the frontline... blasts... mortars and RPGs (including those that don't explode)... MNLF checkpoints... exchange of fires... docking and taking cover... evacuation... no food... affected infrastructure... barangays in danger, with our friends in uncertainty... worst hospital situations... abandonment of posts... security issues... lack of resources... lack of suppliers...and the list goes on.

In the hospital setting, it is so difficult to get the balance of our call for service and the security of those who will provide the healthcare service... and to provide the service for new patients while still keeping resources for those who are already in!!!

But always remember to check if: THE SCENE IS SAFE!

But it also has brought about the SPIRIT OF UNITY AND LOVE... and the value of PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE!

Coming on duty in spite of the uncertain safety and security issues... being competent... being responsible... being selfless... knowing the risks but still keeping the fort... being united with the common goal... acquiring positive attitudes... cooperation and obedience emanates... no negative vibes... appreciating meager resources and little deeds of kindness... being more resourceful and gain initiative... unity in diversity... unity in adversity... showing empathy... calls of concerns from family and friends... valuing our individual roles and contributions... realization of how important we are to each other! 

With every adversity, there is always something GREAT that will come out of it!

But, we have to find it out for ourselves... have the realization to make the best of everything!!!

ZCMC SCENES ON THE DAYS OF THE ZAMBOANGA CRISIS SEPTEMBER 2013

I am not connected with the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), but I am intrigued (and shocked!!!) with such a far-fetched situation the main government hospital is in now! 

It is quite unfortunate that the hospital (and my clinic) is located in Sta. Catalina and close to Sta. Barbara where the Zamboanga Crisis is happening.

When the MRI engineer asked our technologist, "How far is ZCMC from the affected area?" and she answered, "Just a hollow block wall separating the two places!" So you can imagine WHY the evacuation should take place!!!

Here are images from the GBPI TV 11 footages which I photographed from TV:

the main entrance of the Zamboanga City Medical Center...

this is my clinic across the ZCMC!

never in our farthest dream...

Even if we consider terrorism as one of the major risks in our City, it is unimaginable that the main government hospital would completely evacuate and relocate to the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) gym.

There were also many patients who decided to go home whether with advice or against advice rather than stay at the WMSU gym, but of course, there were still many patients to serve.

So here are some images at the WMSU Gym from Dr. George Rojo:

 

I was attracted by the status posted by my friend, Dr. Afdal Kunting which goes this way:

So many unsung heroes in this crisis.. Those ambulance drivers with steely nerves, the IWs who carried, lifted and dragged patients and equipment, with some even being shot at by snipers, the hospital and agency guards who braved the dead of night... The efficient nurses, supply, pharmacy, laboratory pips... We have lived up to the grand legacy of our hospital... Happy 95th anniversary ZCMC!

Don't you think his message encapsulates the essence of ZCMC in the midst of the crisis? I believe it really does!!! (Would be nice if you drop a comment if you agree!)

In the next days, we do hope this Zamboanga crisis will be solved favorably.

We know the hostages, evacuees and those who live in the affected areas are in a more dismal situation and things will be better for them only if the Zamboanga crisis will end. 

a beautiful image of optimism = = from Joko R.

Let us all pray together for the immediate resolution of this situation!!!