Armyand President Quirino evacuees may return home

PRESIDENT
QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat - The military
here has given the green light for the displaced families in last week’s
harassment by Moro bandits to return home.

Colonel Mel
Feliciano, 601st Army brigade commander, said displaced families from
the village of Katiko, President Quirino who fled to Gen. SK Pendatun,
Maguindanao after Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) attacked and
engaged militiamen in a fire fight last week can now return home safely.

The area has
been cleared and the evacuees can now return safetyly,” he said adding that
soldiers have been deployed in the vicinity to thwart similar attacks in the
future.

Mariam
Bagumbayan, one of the residents of Sitio Sumilalao, Barangay Katiko, President
Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, told DXMS Radyo Bida they fled and stayed with relatives’
homes in Barangay Midconding, Gen. SK Pendatun to avoid getting caught in the
cross fire.

Some of the
affected families stayed in Kakal Elementary School in Barangay Quipolot,
Paglat, Maguindanao.

Saudi Aliudin,
a differently abled person, recalled how hard it was for him to flee during the
fighting due to his condition.

The evacuees claimed
they are yet to receive aid from the government.

Barangay Kakal
Chairperson Kulidtem Ali, meanwhile, appealed to government relief agency to
send in aid to the affected families.