8,000 evacuated due to firefight in S. Philippines

　　8,000 evacuated due to firefight in S. Philippines

　　MANILA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,702 families or 8,000people have been sheltered in an evacuation center in Pikit town ofsouthern Philippine province of North Cotabato due to firefightsbetween Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro IslamicFreedom Fighter (BIFF), said local authorities on Monday.

　　Cynthia Ortega, head of the North Cotabato provincial disasterrisk reduction and management council, said the situation remainstense "because of the presence of armed groups."

　　Provincial police director Danilo Peralta said many of theevacuees in Pikit town are actually from Pagalungan town inMaguindanao.

　　"They went here so they will be spread from the fight," hesaid.

　　As of Monday, Peralta said they can still hear sounds of mortarrounds being fired.

　　An official from the Maguindanao provincial disaster riskreduction and management council, speaking on condition ofanonymity, said at least 500 families are currently housed in anevacuation center in Pagalungan town. Enditem