TO SAFETY. More residents from the villages of Nagcanasan and Gapang in Pilar town, Abra arrive at the Poblacion gymnasium on Thursday morning. The gymnasium will serve as their temporary shelter following the clash between members of the 50th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the rebels from past 11 a.m. to almost 7 p.m. on Tuesday (PNA photo courtesy of Pilar DRRMO)
BANGUED, Abra – Some 164 families or 593 persons from Ilocos Sur and Abra, have been evacuated by the local government units following an eight-hour gunfight between the military and the rebels that started Tuesday morning.
Maj. Bryan Albano, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of the 501st Infantry Brigade, which has jurisdiction over Abra and Ilocos Sur, said on Thursday these families came from the village of Babalasioan, Sta. Maria; and villages of Nagcanasan and Gapang, Pilar, Abra.
These families are temporarily taking shelter and are being assisted at the Poblacion gymnasium in Pilar.
Pilar and Sta. Maria municipalities decided to evacuate the residents due to fear of spill-over at the height of the skirmish between the military and the rebels, which lasted around 7 p.m.
Albano said there is no assurance yet on when the evacuees can return to their homes since clearing operations continue to ensure the public’s safety from the possible presence of the improvised explosive device.
“The Philippine Army is doing its best to secure the barangay so that locals can go back to their daily activities,” he said.
The exchange of gunfire was heard by residents of Babalasioan, which was close to the encounter site.
The Abra Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office reported that the evacuees are being cared for by the local government units, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Red Cross-Abra.
In an earlier interview with a radio station in Vigan City, Albano said the community reported the presence of armed groups prompting the military to conduct internal security operations.
The rebels were earlier seen at the tri-boundaries of Abra, Apayao and Kalinga.
“It was the people in the villagers who gave (away) their positions,” Albano added. (PNA)
