Maguindanao del Sur LGUs rescue civilians trapped by floods

COTABATO CITY — About 100 families have been safely rescued by the disaster responders after they were trapped by floods triggered by heavy downpour on Friday, July 24, in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.

Ampatuan town Mayor Rasul Sangki said the rescued residents were from the villages of Malatimon, Kapinpilan and Kakal, all situated beside the Liguasan marsh.

Joint personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, police, the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion and the Bureau of Fire Protection hauled the civilians, the elderly and children to safety as the flood water rose to waist level on Friday noon.

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READ: Floods affect 62,000 families in Maguindanao del Sur

“The timely response of our disaster workers saved many lives,” Sangki said, adding that forced evacuation is necessary to avoid loss of lives.

He appealed to other constituents living near the marshland and riverbanks to evacuate when the water level rises during heavy downpour.

In the town of Sultan sa Barongis, also in Maguindanao del Sur, Mayor Allandatu Angas led the rescue operations for about 100 families trapped by floods in Barangay Tukanakuden and Barangay Bulod on Friday afternoon. /das