Maguindanao del Sur LGUs Rescue Over 100 Families Stranded by Floods

In Ampatuan town, Maguindanao del Sur province, Philippines, approximately 100 families were rescued on Friday, July 24, after heavy rains triggered floods. The rescued residents hailed from the villages of Malatimon, Kapinpilan, and Kakal, all situated beside the Liguasan marsh. According to Mayor Rasul Sangki, joint personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, police, the Army’s 90th Infantry Battalion, and the Bureau of Fire Protection worked to safely haul civilians, including the elderly and children, to safety as floodwaters rose to waist level around noon on Friday. Mayor Sangki stated that the timely response of their disaster workers saved many lives and emphasized that forced evacuation is necessary to prevent loss of life. He also urged other constituents living near marshlands and riverbanks to evacuate when water levels rise during heavy downpours. In the town of Sultan sa Barongis, also in Maguindanao del Sur, Mayor Allandatu Angas led rescue operations for about 100 families trapped by floods in Barangay Tukanakuden and Barangay Bulod on Friday afternoon. This incident follows previous floodings in Maguindanao del Sur, which reportedly affected 62,000 families. The recent rescue operations underscore the critical importance of swift response in ensuring resident safety.