Red Cross moves aid into southern Philippines after Muslim clashes

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (AFP) — The Red Cross began moving aid into the southern Philippines on Friday in a major relief effort three days after government forces expelled Muslim insurgents who had stormed the area.

As some residents trickled back to their deserted villages, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said it had opened 12 more emergency centres in North Cotabato province taking the total to 52 and number of displaced to nearly 165,000.

Red Cross spokesman Clifford Gesmundo told AFP that two trucks carrying 1,600 relief packages left Cotabato City Friday morning for the towns of Pikit and Tulunan.

"At the same time we will have volunteers touring towns and villages in the affected area of North Cotabato to assess what is needed," he...