THE number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Marawi City swelled to a total of 23,241 under the area of responsibility (AOR) of the whole Eastern Mindanao Command (Easmincom) nearly two months after the terrorist attack erupted in Marawi City.
The affected residents fled from their homes and sought shelter in different cities and municipalities in Easmincom.
For the 4th Infantry Division (ID) AOR, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) unit that is located near Marawi City, tallied about 17,790 displaced individuals while under the 10th ID, they have accommodated a total of 3,784 victims.
The Joint Task Force Haribon, which covers the whole Davao region, has recorded 1,667 IDPs at present.
According to Easmincom Public Information Officer Ezra Balagtey, these IDPs are not staying in evacuation areas but opted to seek temporary shelter in their respective relatives for the meantime.
Easmincom deputy commander and Martial Law spokesperson, Brigadier General Gilber Gapay, had earlier assured that they are conducting validation and screening to see to it that these evacuees are cleared from any involvement in the terrorist group that attacked Marawi City.
To date, as the result of the intensive security measures of the soldiers, there are a total of 11 Maute terrorist members and supporters that were arrested in the Easmincom. (JCR)