Displaced persons in Basilan and Sulu swell

By Ronron
August 14, 2007

The number of internally displaced persons in Basilan and Sulu has swelled to close to 20,000 due to the imminent danger from the looming armed confrontation between government forces and Moslem rebels.

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Executive Officer Glenn Rabonza said Tuesday that there are already 1,154 families or 7,474 persons displaced in Sulu, and 1,717 families or 10,794 persons in Basilan.

Those affected in Sulu are from the towns of Indanan, Parang ang Maimbung, all areas were the three-day clash last week happened, while those in Basilan are from the towns of Al-Barka, Tipo-tipo, Sumisip and Ungkaya Pukan.

“They have left their houses and stayed in communities with their relatives and friends,” Rabonza said of the displaced people.

“There is still no evacuation center as of this day. We just established food and relief distribution centers in the towns proper,” he added.

Asked why there is no evacuation center established yet, Rabonza said it is because the people preferred to stay with their relatives and friends.

“The local government has a plan to set up evacuation centers. It’s just that the people prefer to stay with their relatives and friends,” he said.

Tension has risen in Basilan following the July 10 incident in Al-Barka, wherein the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) attacked Marine troopers passing by their territory without prior coordination. Fourteen soldiers were killed in said incident, 10 mutilated.

In Sulu, 27 soldiers died while a few others were injured when suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits and renegade members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) clashed with and ambushed Army troopers from August 7 until August 9th./DMS