Society

Fighting abates in Philippines as rebels pull out

Nearly 160,000 people have fled their homes in North Cotabato and surrounding areas but disaster officials said they were still having trouble accessing them because of situation on the ground was still dangerous.

"Our problem now is we can't get in because of the security aspect, we are being prevented from going in by the International Committee of the Red Cross because of the unstable situation." said Richard Gordon, head of the Philippine Red Cross.

"But we are preparing for a big rush of food and medicine and all things that they need."

Arroyo will hold a meeting of her national security council later on Tuesday to discuss the situation in Mindanao.


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