Army, NPA clash in North Cotabato; 200 families leave homes

From the Manila Bulletin (Mar 22): Army, NPA clash in North Cotabato; 200 families leave homes

Some 200 families, mostly lumads, remain at the evacuation centers in Magpet town in North Cotabato as Army intensified its military operations against communist guerillas allegedly hiding in the area.

The families, according to Magpet municipal social welfare officer Antonia Fernandez, evacuated to safer areas in nearby Barangay Amabel when armed fighting between government troops and the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) erupted last week.

Of the 200 displaced families, at least 30 come from Sitio Timodos, Barangay Manobisa — site of the latest landmine attack the NPA launched against the 57th IB that killed two soldiers and wounded seven others.

Fernandez said initial relief assistance was given to displaced families.

“But since the armed fighting has not ceased, more and more families have to leave their homes. Right now, we’re feeding some 200 families from at least two conflict-affected barangays. We actually need some help from the provincial government and regional office to be able to feed these war victims,” said Fernandez.

Captain Manuel Gatus, chief of the civil military operations of the 57th IB, said their presence in the area will help secure villagers from any possible attacks from the NPAs.

“We are here to bring peace. We’ve known for so long that these rebels have been harassing our villagers, extorting our traders and small-time farmers,” said Gatus.
The rebels, he stressed, ‘are already on the run.’

“We’re running after those rebels who were behind the latest attacks in towns of Matan-ao and Bansalan in Davao del Sur. Our intelligence reports said that these rebels have sought refuge in the hinterlands of Magpet, Makilala, and Arakan in North Cotabato,” said the military official.

http://www.mb.com.ph/army-npa-clash-in-north-cotabato-200-families-leave-homes/