Tension continues to mount in Southern Philippines as a two-week
long government led military offensive against the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) intensifies.
Local and international media reports describe a series of violent
episodes, which were seen as a retaliation by the MILF against the
military offensive, which in turn led to the capture of the rebel-stronghold
in central Mindanao.
The MILF has been waging a separatists insurrection in the country’s
impoverished south since the 1970s. The late 90s saw a fragile truce
brokered. In August 2001, both sides renewed the cease-fire, but clashes
continue to occur sporadically.
The current clashes resulted in the flight of thousands of families
particularly in the outskirts of North Cotabato’s Pikit town, about
920 kilometers south of Manila. Close to 7,000 families have escaped
the small town to neighbouring villages.
The National Council of Churches in Philippines (NCCP), a
member of the global alliance, Action by Churches Together (ACT) International,
are preparing to assist 8,000 families who have been caught up in
the latest skirmish. An appeal will be forthcoming.
The families will receive food, medicines, bedding and temporary
shelter. NCCP is already assisting 400 families who had earlier fled
from North Cotabato and Maguindanao, seeking refuge in local churches.
These families were given rice, dried fish and canned foods.
Reports from the government department of social welfare and development
in Manila, says that nearly 40,000 families have been affected by
the conflict in Mindanao. It is feared that the number of displaced
people will rise as the fighting intensifies.
Meanwhile news reports indicate that the US government is preparing
to send troops to the region at the request of the government of Philippines.
