Thursday, August 16, 2007

Senator Gordon oversees relief operation in Jolo, Basilan

reposted from Sunstar Breaking News

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Senator Richard Gordon, who is the chairman and chief executive officer of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), visited Sulu Wednesday to look at the situation of the different evacuation centers that were set up as a result of ongoing conflict between government troops and rebel groups.

On Thursday, the senator will fly to Zamboanga City to meet with Mayor Celso Lobregat, who is also Red Cross governor, together with members of the local PNRC board of directors, and later proceed to Isabela in Basilan to also check on the humanitarian mission undertaken by the Red Cross in the province.

Local Red Cross Administrator Vic Liozo Jr. said Gordon visited evacuation centers in Jolo to evaluate immediate needs of the people in consultation with the provincial PNRC chapter and government officials. In Basilan, the senator will also confer with the Provincial Red Cross chapter and local officials there relative to the condition of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), who vacated their homes for fear of their safety due to the military operations in Al-Barka, according to Liozo.

(Sheila E. Covarrubias/Sunnex)

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