Government helping residents displaced by military operations in Lanao del Sur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 7): Government helping residents displaced by military operations in Lanao del Sur

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. has assured that the government is helping families affected by the ongoing military operations in the town of Butig in Lanao del Sur.

The military has estimated that around 2,000 people have been displaced since the military began its offensive against the Maute Group, one of the armed groups which has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, on May 24.

“Masinsing tinututukan ng pamahalaan ang kalagayan at kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan sa Butig, Lanao del Sur na apektado sa isinasagawang military operation laban sa Maute Group,” said Coloma in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.

“Hindi tumitigil ang DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) at iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno sa paghahatid ng tulong at humanitarian assistance sa mga residente ng nasabing lugar kabilang na ang mga pamilyang kasalukuyang nanunuluyan sa mga evacuation centers,” added Coloma.

“Maliban sa food packs, nakapamahagi na rin ng hygiene kits at nagbibigay ng kaukulang psychological support sa mga apektadong pamilya,” the Palace official further said.

According to reports, the Maute Group attacked an Army outpost in Butig last February that left six soldiers and 12 militants dead.

The group was also responsible for destroying power transmission towers and the killing of two local sawmill employees last April. 

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141465209495/government-helping-residents-displaced-by-military-operations-in-lanao-del-sur