No go signal yet for Marawi IDPs to go home, says Army official

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 11): No go signal yet for Marawi IDPs to go home, says Army official

The government troops have not yet given a go signal for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to go back to Marawi City, according to Col. Cerilo Thomas Donato, assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division.

In a press briefing held at the Regional Command and Coordination Center (RCCC) at Frosty Bites, in Barangay Tubod here, Col. Donato said: “We have received requests to allow the IDPs to return to Marawi, but nothing has been given a nod.”

Firefight between the Maute terror group and the government troops has been going on at the town proper of Marawi City. A few stray bullets from the enemies also landed at nearby Campo Ranao of the 103rd Brigade.

In a related development, Assistant Secretary Demosthenes Santillan of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) assured that the government has enough relief goods for the IDPs.

“Our agencies like the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) as well as civil society organizations (CSOs) are prompt in responding to the needs of the IDPs,” Santillan said.

Presently, the responding agencies are catering to some 59,993 affected families with 268,524 dependents. Thousands fled Marawi City when clashes between Maute group and government forces broke out last May 23.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1431497083743/no-go-signal-yet-for-marawi-idps-to-go-home-says-army-official