KIDAPAWAN CITY — Eighty-three families in Sitios Dimapulot and Compact in Barangay Malingao, Midsayap, North Cotabato left their homes and sought refuge in a covered court in nearby Barangay Salunayan on Saturday (Jan. 9) night.
North Cotabato Police Provincial Director PCol. Henry Villar said the villagers were forced to leave Barangay Malingao for fear that they will be caught in the crossfire should an armed conflict erupt among some families who are entangled in ‘rido’ (clan feud).
The residents earlier saw unidentified armed men roaming around their barangay. They opted to go to Barangay Salunayan because of the presence of the camp of the Philippine Army’s 34th infantry battalion in the area.
The Ministry of Social Services and Development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MSSD-BARMM) has already served food packs to the affected families.
Meanwhile, 205 families of Barangay Malingao evacuated to Simeon Panganiban Elementary School in Barangay Bual Norte, also of Midsayap.
Soraida Galacas, a leader of the evacuees, appealed for assistance for the displaced families.
On Dec. 16, the barangay chairman of Malingao, Norodin Manalasal sustained four gunshot wounds when unidentified gunmen shot him along Quezon Boulevard in Poblacion 5, Midsayap town proper. He died a few days later. – Newsline.ph
