MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Thousands of evacuees in squalid conditions suffer from ailments while enduring the sound of gunfire.
Army and civilian health workers on Friday provided medical and dental services to 6,429 evacuees in relief missions amid sporadic clashes between bandits and pursuing soldiers that forced more villagers to relocate to safer areas.
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman on Saturday said he was elated with the turnout of Friday's joint humanitarian missions of the ARMM government, the Armed Forces and the provincial government of Maguindanao in towns which government forces are trying to clear from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).
Local officials and barangay leaders have confirmed that 14 members of the outlawed BIFF were killed while nine soldiers were wounded in a series of firefights in three adjoining Maguindanao towns Friday afternoon.
Philstar
