ARMM exec: We’re verifying reported deaths in evacuation centers

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong said Saturday that they were still verifying reports that some evacuees who fled strife-torn Marawi City have died.

"We’re still consolidating the data. We cannot give you the accurate description insofar as the cause of death. But based on what we have received so far, most of the cases 'yun nga is dehydration and pre-existing health conditions," he said in a press briefing in Marawi.

The number of internally displaced persons in Marawi City has exceeded the actual number of residents in city. As of June 6, almost 240,000 residents were displaced according to the ARMM Crisis Management Committee data.

While they have to confirm reported deaths, Adiong said that these reported deaths may be due to the lack of proper nutrition or medical assistance.

"They're already suffering because of the lack of proper nutrition for example or medical assistance. Because this is not an ordinary day and the volume of people in evacuation centers, remember were talking about thousands," Adiong said.

"And that's why I guess the national government is now coming [into] the picture because we really need the help of the national government in so far as providing these evacuees the medical attention, necessary help that they need," he said.

Adiong also pointed out that water supply was also a primary concern in evacuation centers, particularly in Iligan City.

"The factor is also because in evacuation centers, especially in Iligan City, if you've been to Iligan, it's really hot there. So the supply of water I guess is a primary concern now. And we are trying to address that issue. We will... have to come up with a strategy in so far as addressing the issue of the ongoing death in our evacuation centers," he added.

Adiong said most of the evacuees were staying in Iligan City. Meanwhile, he assured that they were coordinating with doctors from the respective evacuation centers to confirm the supposed deaths.

"We coordinate with the doctors, our IPHO (Integrated Provincial Hospital Office) that are manning the evacuation centers to send us and give us the accurate data and also the cause of death for the evacuees," he said. — MDM, GMA News