Among the buildings hit by mortar was a radio station run by an order of priests, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Cotabato City, Maguindanao province. Most of the 36 dead were passengers travelling in two buses. Eleven incidents from January to mid-February this year raised the number of displaced families by 12,473. Refugees have sought shelter in government schools, open spaces, and in town markets. Some are now living with relatives.
Relief workers are at a loss on how to deal with the evacuees.
Let us not allow this to degenerate into a Muslim-Christian conflict. However, MILF spokesman Al Haj Murad has been quoted as saying that military and police officials were creating a war scenario in Mindanao to oust President Estrada and justify a military takeover of the country. He said that the MILF had taken into its custody three government infiltrators allegedly responsible for the recent bomb attacks. The National Council of Churches in the Philippines and the Catholic Bishops' Conference are organizing a joint peace committee to mediate in the conflict. Used with permission.