NDRRMC: Nearly 600 evacuated due to 'harassment' in  north Cotabato town

Nearly 600 people have been evacuated from their homes since a group of "lawless elements" harassed parts of Tulunan town in North Cotabato last weekend, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Thursday.

In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said the harassment occurred last May 25 at 4 p.m. in Sitio Silan, Sitio Malipayon and Purok 1 of Barangay Maybula and Sitio Tuburan of Barangay New Bunawan in Tulunan.

The residents of Maybula village were brought to Barangay Maybula multi-purpose building, while those from New Bunawan were brought to the Sitio Tuburan Purok Center.

As of Thursday, it said a total of 168 families or 587 people had been evacuated from their homes.

No on one was initially reported killed or hurt in the incidents, the NDRRMC said.

Local disaster risk reduction and management officials provided food and medical assistance to the evacuees. — LBG, GMA News