Iligan City – An elderly woman reportedly died of cardiac arrest at the height of last Tuesday’s pandemonium in three barangays here caused by rumors that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels would attack the city.
Senior Superintendent Virgilio Ranes, city police chief, said residents panicked when an apparently drunk man shouted “MILF, MILF!” as he was chased in Barangay Tubod.
That sent hundreds of residents running to the city hall where several Army soldiers were deployed, to seek protection.
As this was going on, residents in Barangays Mahayahay and Ubaldo Laya also started to panic. An elderly woman whose identity was not revealed reportedly died as a result of the commotion, according to police reports.
People from other barangays started massing in the streets, as a number of families, bringing along some belongings, began fleeing their homes.
Mayor Lawrence Cruz immediately went over radio station dxLS to disprove the rumor and allay his constituents’ apprehensions, saying that Army soldiers and policemen, backed by armored vehicles, were deployed in critical areas around the city.
“If worse comes to worst, you can get your firearms or any object such as steel bars, bolos or knives to defend yourself and protect your homes; do not leave your homes,” he said.
The mayor’s words eventually defused the panic.
Earlier this week, only minutes apart, bombs exploded in two lodging houses in this city, wounding at least four people.
The following day, the MILF attacked at least four towns in Lanao del Norte, resulting in the death of more than 30 civilians and two soldiers.
Thousands of evacuees have sought refuge here and in nearby Ozamis City.
The successive MILF attacks and text messages about “threats” of bombings have sown fear and tension among the local folk, police said.
Apart from the joint police-military force securing the city, Cruz has tapped the 3,000-strong local Civilian Volunteers Organization and the Disaster Coordinating Council, radio groups and non-government organizations to help respond to emergencies.
Curfew for all adults and minors is still in effect and classes on all levels remain suspended, Cruz said.