UCA News
Contribute

Mindanao social action group voices refugee security fears

Philippine bishops launch aid appeal for thousands of people displaced by fighting on Marawi
Mindanao social action group voices refugee security fears

Hundreds of people stay in a sports gymnasium in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Sur after fleeing the armed clashes in nearby Marawi City. (Photo by Mark Saludes) 

 

Published: June 02, 2017 08:24 AM GMT
Updated: June 02, 2017 10:54 AM GMT

A church organization helping people displaced by the fighting in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao appealed to the government to ensure the safety of evacuation sites in the area.

"The most pressing problem now is security," said Fe Socorro Salimbangon, coordinator of the social action center of Iligan Diocese in Mindanao.

Salimbangon said, however, that the Philippine military is "doing its best" to help people who fled the city of Marawi where fighting continued more than a week after terrorist gunmen tried to occupy the city.

"There are no reports that evacuation centers are being targeted but the entire city and the entire province of Lanao Del Norte are on red alert," she said.

Aside from security, the church worker said the displaced residents of Marawi, especially the elderly, need food and medical assistance.

The social action arm of the Catholic bishops' conference earlier launched a "solidarity appeal" to all dioceses to extend help to people displaced by the conflict.

"[We] are now appealing to your generosity for any assistance to augment the needs of the internally displaced persons affected by the Marawi siege," said Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona of Caceres.

The prelate, who heads Caritas Philippines, said the church has initially released US$6,000 to support relief efforts of Iligan Diocese.

The Philippine Red Cross has also appealed for more donations to help affected families.

"Our brothers and sisters in Mindanao need you to help extend their lives while facing ongoing clashes," said Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross chairman, in a statement.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of the Lower House of Congress has announced that a trust fund to help victims of the conflict has been set up by the legislative department.

The House of Representatives has taken the initiative to create a trust fund to aid in this mission," said Alvarez at the end of the first regular session of Congress on May 31.

"We have to do our part in sharing the heavy burden of what happened," said the legislator. "This will be our concerted answer to the challenge that extremists present," he added.

Congress this week passed a resolution supporting President Rodrigo Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

As of May 31, a total of 140,155 residents, or about 70 percent of the population of Marawi, had fled to neighboring towns and cities, according to officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia