The number of people affected by fighting in Maguindanao since February has breached the 80,000 mark as of Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
In its update, the NDRRMC said the fighting included a rido on Feb. 9 in Pagalungan town, and government offensives against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters since Feb. 27.
As of Friday, the NDRRMC said 16,111 families or 80,555 people have been affected in 59 barangays of Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces.
Of these, 15,058 families or 75,290 people have been evacuated. Some 13,261 families or 66,305 people are staying in 49 evacuation centers.
The NDRRMC also said that as of Friday, classes were suspended in 42 public elementary and high schools, affecting 18,819 students and 283 teachers.
At least 45 houses had been destroyed in Region 11 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
