PHILIPPINES: Civilians who fled fierce fighting between government forces and Muslim rebels in southern Philippines return to find homes in ruins

Record ID: 375057

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: Civilians who fled fierce fighting between government forces and Muslim rebels in southern Philippines return to find homes in ruins
  • Date: 13th August 2008
  • Summary: (ASIA) MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AUGUST 13, 2008) (REUTERS) SPOKESPERSONS FOR POLICE AND ARMED FORCES SEATED IN FRONT OF REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIPPINE ARMED FORCES SPOKESPERSON JORGE SEGOVIA SAYING: "We want to ensure that the civilians who will return will be safe. There was an incident of land mines, so we have to ensure that the civilians will not suffer the s
  • Embargoed: 28th August 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: War / Fighting
  • Reuters ID: LVAB0LKEB7NSTE830MOV5CIFGV2Z
  • Story Text: Evacuees who fled the crossfire between government troops and Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines returned to find their homes in ruins.
    After days of staying in crowded evacuation centres, some went back to their villages and found houses reduced to ashes.
    Thirteen-year-old Ruben Pano held on to his burnt bicycle. He was home with his parents when rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) entered the area.
    His grandfather and uncle were shot by escaping rebels, while his grandmother died from a heart attack after being hit, the military said.

    "I hope there will be no more killings," Pano said.
    Others were luckier. Arlene Lauredo's home was intact. She arrived back to feed her hogs.
    Manila had accused the MILF of occupying Catholic farmlands in the region and had given them an ultimatum to leave.
    Entire communities have fled 15 villages in North Cotabato province since late Sunday (August 10) to escape military airstrikes and mortar fire aimed at MILF rebels holed up in the area. Some villagers say fleeing rebels used them as human shields against government soldiers.
    The military has allowed evacuees to return to their villages to check on their properties but have warned of booby traps and landmines that rebels could have left.
    Jorge Segovia, Philippine Armed Forces spokesman, told reporters they wanted to ensure civilians who return are safe.
    Most aid agencies have been unable to access the region because of the battle. While civilian casualties have been low -- currently estimated at six -- disaster officials are worried about sanitation, the spread of disease and hunger among the refugees.
    Police said they may file criminal charges against the rebel group.
    Despite this week's violent clash, neither side is talking about a return to all-out war. Analysts have said both sides were flexing their military muscles after yet another setback in long-running talks to end a near 40-year separatist conflict in Mindanao that has killed more than 120,000 people.
    President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said this week she would support altering the constitution to turn the Philippines into a federal republic to ensure the creation of a homeland for Muslims in the south.
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