3 Cabinet officials assess situation in Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—Three member of President Aquino’s Cabinet arrived here Friday and immediately went to Basilan to meet with local government officials and civilians displaced by the recent violence in the municipality of Al Barka.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and presidential adviser on the peace process Teresita Deles were accompanied by military officials in Western Mindanao.

Soliman said that based on reports she received from the Basilan social welfare office, at least 1,800 people fled when violence broke out in the village of Cambug  in Al Barka last week.

The three Cabinet officials were expected to visit Zamboanga Sibugay later in the day.