Hundreds of families from the town of Datu Piang, Maguindanao province evacuated to nearby villages here as the military and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) rebels engaged in mortar shelling Friday dawn.
Insp. Sindato Karim, the PNP officer in charge, said some 407 families are temporarily seeking refuge in barangays Kabasalan and Bulol in Pikit out of fear of being caught in the crossfire.
Karim however said the number of evacuees is expected to increase as the town’s social welfare and development office has yet to count other evacuees in barangays Katilakan, Barungis, Punol, Makabual, and Balong.
These places where the displaced people are temporarily staying are at least 26 kilometers from town.
“We need to clear the roads leading to these villages for the safety of our policemen and even the LGU employees who will conduct validations in the area,” Karim told this writer in interview.
He said that aside from members of the BIFF spotted in the area, lawless elements who are suspects in the Maguindanao massacre are also believed to be hiding there.
Karim said sporadic gun- and mortar fire could still be heard in Datu Piang town as the military is nearing the major BIFF camp there.
The police officicial also confirmed the death of the two civilians who were hit by mortars while leaving Datu Piang town in Maguindanao at around 4 a.m. on Friday.
Karim identified the victims as Rayhana Akmad, 8 years old and Kinto Akmad, 40, both residents of Barangay Lagban, Datu Piang town. Laila Akmad was also wounded in the incident.
The victims were crossing the Rio Grande de Mindanao on a motorized banca when they were hit by mortar fired from unknown direction.
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