Cotabato

It's been a while.

Our vehicle was speeding despite the bumpy road on our way to the evacuation site in Pikit, North Cotabato. This is one of the areas affected by the encounters between the miliary and MILF. Menchie, our team leader advised us to take off our seatbelts for mobility, just in case.

It's just been a few months since the news of the kidnapping of my colleague, Ces Drilon. Naturally, we were on our toes for our relief operation. I was quiet at the corner of the vehicle, praying... and texting 'habilins'. It may sound morbid, but we will never know, no matter how much precautions we take. We were after all, in MILF territory.

Residents were forced to vacate their homes leaving behind all that they had. I was told that they leave at once at the sight of soldiers, because an encounter between rebels and military is sure to take place.

For months now, 'home' to the residents is a tepee-like structure made from the leaves and branches of the coconut tree. Occasionally, they partake of relief goods for sustenence, but for most days, they have fish awashed from the Liguasan Marsh.

In partnership with the Red Cross (who also served as our safety pass), we managed to penetrate and serve the area. We moved quickly, sparing no time. Unlike most relief sites I've been to, we didn't have the liberty to chat with the residents because of safety considerations (add to the fact that I couldn't speak Tausug!) Sayang.

I realize how neglected our brothers and sisters in Mindanao are. For decades they have been deprived of a quality of life, not even a fighting chance. And here they are, again, deprived of human compassion.