IDPPAR no. 8: Forced displacement in Polomolok, South Cotabato due to law enforcement operation, Issue no. 1
INCIDENT BACKGROUND
On 8 August 2020, a law enforcement operation was jointly conducted by members of Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Barangay Lumakil, Polomolok Municipality, South Cotabato Province. Accordingly, the said operation resulted to the death of four (4) residents of the village and forced around 138 families (690 individuals) to flee their homes due to fear and safety concerns. The displaced families have sought refuge at the barangay gymnasium on the evening of 9 August 2020.
CURRENT SITUATION
As of reporting, 138 families (690 individuals) from Purok Maguindanao in Brgy. Lumakil were displaced and temporarily occupying the gymnasium in the said barangay. 330 of the 690 displaced individuals belong to vulnerable sectors: 182 children, 95 women, 16 lactating mothers, six (6) pregnant women, two (2) persons with disabilities, and 29 elderly. The Local Government Unit of Polomolok Municipality and private entities extended assistance to these displaced families.
Among the expressed needs of the IDPs are food, shelter materials, legal aid, psychosocial and psychological assistance especially for children as some of them have witnessed the incident. Also, there are no available temporary learning and women spaces at the displacement site. Safety, security and health are also their major concerns since they are living in congested areas in the displacement site, and poor sanitation can be observed. Moreover, COVID-19 protocols, such as physical distancing, are not practiced.
For more information on the protection assessment report, please download the attached IDPPAR.
