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Saturday, August 18, 2007
Over 20,000 people displaced by looming war
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- At least 4,513 families or 22,887 people from two autonomous region provinces have abandoned their homes for fear of getting caught up in the war that could break out anytime between the military and Abu Sayyaf bandits.
National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Executive Director Glen Rabonza disclosed that of the 4,513 families, 2,722 are from the province of Sulu while the remaining 1,791 families are from Basilan.
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Thousands of troops are in Sulu and Basilan provinces to hunt down the bandits who killed about two dozen soldiers in separate attacks last week and last month.
In Sulu, reports reaching NDCC said 1,474 families composed of 6,508 individuals fled from seven barangays in Indanan, 856 families composed of 3,854 people from five villages in Parang, and 392 families with 1,320 individuals from three barangays in Maimbung.
They are temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers - two in Indanan and three in Parang - established by the NDCC.
The NDCC has provided 5,000 sacks of rice while the Provincial Government gave 25 tents as aid to the evacuees.
In Basilan, 990 families composed of 5,939 people who fled their homes are from seven barangays in Al-Barka; 130 families composed of 716 individuals are from two barangays in Tipo-Tipo; 358 families with 2,495 individuals are from four places in Sumisip; and 313 families composed of 2,737 individuals are from Ungkaya Pukan.
The NDCC has given the evacuees 3,000 sacks of rice while the Department of Social Welfare and GMA Kapuso Foundation have provided 2,000 family-packs each. Other donors gave medical supplies and other basic needs. (Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (August 18, 2007 issue)
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