IDPPAR no. 03, Protracted displacement in Sulu province (AFP vs. ASG), Issue no 03, 2019
In June 2017, civilians from Barangay Kabbon Takas, Patikul municipality evacuated due to armed confrontations between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the alleged members of the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG). According to the Barangay Chairman, his constituents have been displaced multiple times due to frequent armed encounters. The displaced families fled from Barangay Kabbon Takas to Barangay Kan Ague, in the same municipality. Through an agreement with a private land owner, they were allowed to use a portion of a lot where they built temporary shelters and makeshift shanties to stay in while the situation was still unstable.
As of this report, more than 284 families (approximately 1,420 persons) have remained displaced for more than two (2) years. Of this total, 150 families (approximately 750 persons) are staying in the old and damaged shanties in Barangay Kan Ague, while 134 families (approximately 670 persons) are living with their relatives and friends. According to the barangay chairman, some of these families went to their relatives in neighboring barangays, and others moved as far as Jolo municipality.
The municipal LGU of Patikul continuously monitors the situation of these families and provides food assistance, despite overstretched resources. According to IDPs interviewed by local partner IRDT in October 2019, they had last received food packs sometime in February 2019. They expressed the need for immediate support, particularly shelter materials to improve their makeshift shelters, food assistance to complement the relief assistance from the MLGU, and livelihood assistance.
