(UPDATE) 8,000 evacuated due to firefight in North Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A total of 1,702 families or 8,000 people have been sheltered in an evacuation center in Pikit town of southern Philippine province of North Cotabato due to firefights between Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF), said local authorities on Monday.

Cynthia Ortega, head of the North Cotabato provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, said the situation remains tense "because of the presence of armed groups."

Provincial police director Danilo Peralta said many of the evacuees in Pikit town are actually from Pagalungan town in Maguindanao.

"They went here so they will be spread from the fight," he said.

As of Monday, Peralta said they can still hear sounds of mortar rounds being fired.

An official from the Maguindanao provincial disaster risk reduction and management council, speaking on condition of anonymity, said at least 500 families are currently housed in an evacuation center in Pagalungan town.