NABALAWAG, SGA-BARMM — Hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes Tuesday night, August 4, after renewed tensions erupted in Sitio Bintad, Barangay Olandang, Nabalawag, Special Geographic Area (SGA)-BARMM, prompting a mass evacuation and the immediate deployment of government responders, soldiers, and police to prevent the situation from escalating further.
According to local authorities, reports of armed group sightings triggered panic among residents, who immediately evacuated the area to avoid being caught in possible armed hostilities. During the incident, one house was reportedly set on fire, adding to the fear and uncertainty experienced by the affected community.
Initial reports indicated that approximately 370 households were displaced by the incident. The majority of the evacuees sought temporary shelter at Dabpil Sampulna Elementary School, which has already reached full capacity, while other affected families took refuge with relatives in nearby Sitio Lawas and Sitio Makantal.
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries had been reported as of the latest assessment.
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) immediately activated the evacuation center, conducted an initial headcount of displaced residents, and coordinated with school officials to accommodate the evacuees while awaiting further assistance.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Nabalawag SGA-BARMM also launched an immediate monitoring and assessment operation led by MDRRMO Head Fairoudzah E. Kiram and her personnel to determine the condition of the displaced families and identify their urgent needs.
During the monitoring activity, the MDRRMO inspected the evacuation center, assessed the welfare of the evacuees, and gathered information necessary for the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance. The office likewise coordinated with concerned agencies and humanitarian partners to ensure a safe, orderly, and secure evacuation environment while facilitating the delivery of emergency relief.
Authorities said the displaced families are in urgent need of food packs, potable water, sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and continued security presence as they remain unable to return to their homes.
In response to the security situation, units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were immediately deployed to Barangay Olandang to contain the tension, secure affected communities, and restore peace and order in the area.
Local disaster officials continue to closely monitor developments and validate the number of affected families, including vulnerable sectors such as children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, to ensure that assistance reaches those most in need.
Authorities are also recommending the immediate augmentation of relief supplies, sustained deployment of security forces, and continuous validation of displaced families as efforts continue to stabilize the situation and facilitate the safe return of residents to their communities once peace and security have been fully restored.
As of this writing, government agencies remain on heightened alert while security operations and humanitarian response efforts continue in the affected areas.