MANILA, Philippines - Close to 10,000 people have been affected by clashes between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in North Cotabato, disaster management officials said Friday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said as of Thursday, 9,600 persons have been displaced or have sought assistance from relief teams in the towns of Matalam and Kabacan.
Majority of the affected residents, 7,105 of them, are from Matalam, the site of the encounter between the two armed groups.
A total of 1,421 families in the said town were brought to 13 evacuation centers in barangays Ilian, Kilada, Kidama, Marbel, Estado and Natutungan.
In Kabacan, 656 individuals or 113 families received assistance inside evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC said 1,930 persons or 386 households were provided relief outside temporary shelters.
The affected residents in Kabacan were from barangays Dagupan, Kayaga, Malanduage, Poblacion, Aringay, Salupungan and Katidtuan.
The clashes ensued early this month in barangay Marbel after MNLF members barred the MILF troops who were carrying weapons from attending a peace conference. – Alexis Romero