State of calamity declared in Maguindanao

DAVAO CITY, Phlippines–—The provincial government of Maguindanao has declared a state of calamity as the military operation continues to uproot residents from their villages.

In a report released by the Maguindanao provincial board, the number of displaced people across 11 towns had now swelled to over 40,000, according to board member Abubakar Katambak.

Katambak said the crisis has pushed the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to pass a resolution during an emergency session on Tuesday to declare a state of calamity in the province.

“This (declaration) gives the provincial government an authority to fully use its calamity fund to provide relief assistance to internally displaced persons,” Katambak said by phone.

Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said the declaration would speed up the delivery of services to displaced residents from the interior villages of the towns of Mamasapano, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Datu Unsay, Datu Saudi, Shariff Aguak, Datu Salibo, Datu Hoffer, Datu Piang, Radjah Buayan, Sultan-sa-Barongis and Pagalungan.

Jo Myrna Henry, media liaison of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team, said the regional government was especially concerned about the education and health of some 18,448 students as schools had turned into evacuation centers.–Allan Nawal