ZAMBOANGA CRISIS 2013: NEW LIFE AMIDST THE STAND-OFF

The Zamboanga City Crisis 2013 or the MNLF Stand-off sow fear and anxiety among the citizens of Zamboanga City, especially that this has already lingered for six days and counting.

Bullets, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), mortars are fired.
But the weapons do not choose the targets...
Red Cross volunteers who are there to serve are injured because of a fired mortar ...

This atrocity conveys death, danger, bloodshed, injuries, fear, panic and extends to public health and economic issues. Imagine, the number of evacuees has escalated to 40,000 according to ZC Mayor Beng Climaco as of September 14, 2013! 

But on the other hand, life goes on...
And, amidst this chaos, new lives are born.

Here are images of innocence and new life:
* after midnight of Day 1
~~~~~ a mother delivered a well baby at home and arrived at CMZ at about 2 a.m. (after midnight of Day 1) and needed newborn care!

** Day 3:  8 p.m. A mother delivered baby in another hospital where initial care rendered and transferred to CMZ because needed further care.

*** arrived in CMZ Day 5 at about 6:15 p.m. 
~~~~~  an indigent mother from Basilan was in Taluksangay and had labor in the midst of the skirmish.
~~~~~ mother brought to other hospital but baby had difficulty in breathing and needed oxygen, thus, transferred to CMZ for further care.
~~~~~ upon arrival, Oxygen saturation of baby is 79% 

Upon arrival...

~~~~~ care given and Oxygen saturation increased to 97% and admitted.

before transport

During the Zamboanga Crisis, one of our first admissions was a pregnant mother who couldn't get into ZCMC as the danger was escalating.

Throughout the six days, there have been more pregnant women  who delivered.

~~~~~ ✠✠✠~~~~~✠✠✠~~~~~

We feel for the newborn, who are brought into this uncertain world... and we hope and pray, not unfriendly in the days to come.

They are our inspiration to make the world a better place to live in!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO NEW LIFE... NEW HOPE !!!

And WE PRAY:

Lord, heal our land
Father, heal our land
Hear our cry and turn our nation back to You.

Lord, heal our land
Hear us oh, Lord, and heal our land
Forgive our sin and heal our broken land.

  

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 
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

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!!!