Marawi City fighting displaces 14,353 families—NDRRMC

Heavy fighting between government security forces and the Maute Group in Marawi City has so far displaced a total of 14, 353 families or around 70, 953 persons in Region 10 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as of May 29, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Ricardo Jalad reported to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. (Photo: Civil Defense Ilocos-Pangasinan Region/Facebook)

MANILA—Heavy fighting between government security forces and the Maute Group in Marawi City has so far displaced a total of 14, 353 families or around 70, 953 persons in Region 10 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as of May 29, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Ricardo Jalad reported to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Of these, some 2, 318 families or 10,778 individuals are now staying in 20 evacuation centers while the remaining 12, 035 families or 60, 175 persons are with their relatives and friends.

Jalad also reported that eight houses were burned in Marawi City since skirmishes started on May 23.

The series of encounters with the terrorists stemmed from military efforts to apprehend Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, a known ally of the lawless group, in Marawi City.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Center in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City remains on “Blue Alert” to closely monitor the situation and maintain constant coordination with concerned member-agencies and offices.

Jalad also said the Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Office, Field Officers in Mindanao, National Resource Operation Center, Visayas Disaster Response Center in Region 7 have a total stockpile and stand-by funds amounting to PHP1,354,750,413.82.

Stand-by funds available at the DSWD Central Office and Field Offices amount to PHP1,024,030,820.26, of which PHP1,007,432,193.67 is the Quick Response Fund.

Around 174,673 “Family Food Packs” worth PHP65,452,613.97 and Food and Non-Food Items worth PHP265,266,979.59 are also available.

Four Philippine Coast Guard ships, namely, the BRP Malabrigo, BRP Tubbataha, BRP Batangas and BRP Romblon are deployed for relief and security efforts relating to the ongoing incident in Marawi City.