A community church in Barangay Caradioan, Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental opened its doors to residents who were caught in the crossfire following a series of clashes between government troopers and rebels.
At least 27 families or 125 individuals from Sitio Campayas, Barangay Carabalan, have sought refuge at the church.
Among them was nine-month-pregnant Genijade Caseres, who was forced to leave her home, along with her three children, on October 6 that marked the first day of the encounters.
She recalled that they quickly scampered to safety after hearing the loud gunfire.
She, her family, and the others boarded a canter truck to Barangay Caradioan, where they were welcomed by a pastor and his wife at End Time Message Church.
Helen Diaz-Romano said she and her pastor husband opened their home to the evacuees, most of whom are their relatives after they received information about the encounter. This prompted them to send a truck to ferry the residents to safety.
She said that they turned on all the airconditioners, and for seven days, their electric bill shot up to P15,000. She remains optimistic though, stressing that “God will provide.”
The evacuees at the church also managed to celebrate the birthday of a 9-year-old girl by chipping in for the food. She was supposed to have a lechon on her birthday, as promised by her late father.
Oscar Quingco, 73, was emotional because he had to leave his farm animals – their source of living – after the encounter. He had no choice because they have to keep themselves safe, Quingco said.
He has lived in Carabalan for more than 40 years, and this was the first time he encountered such a situation. When they heard the gunfire near their home, they immediately left. They weren’t able to bring anything, even their clothes.
The clashes between the military and the fleeing rebels so far have led to the deaths of two soldiers and one ranking New People’s Army leader and affected more than 18,000 residents.*