Red Cross rescues 900 civilians in Philippines
Posted
The Red Cross has helped around 900 trapped civilians to escape from a combat zone on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, the organisation has said.
Civilians had been caught up in clashes between the Philippines armed forces and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) near Datu Piang, in Maguindanao province, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.
Red Cross delegates accompanied the group to a nearby evacuation centre where they were to stay for the time being, a statement said.
Over the past three days, fighting has raged in several municipalities in the provinces of Maguindanao and Shariff Kabunsuan.
The Government in Manila estimates that some 60,000 people have been forced to flee their homes by the hostilities.
Military operations are also under way in Cotabato province, the ICRC said.
