QUEZON RESIDENTS EVACUATE AMID MILITARY, NPA CLASHES
Nov 23, 2005
Updated 09:57am (Mla time)
Delfin Mallari Jr.
Inquirer News Service

DOLORES, Quezon--As a band of fleeing communist New People's Army rebels and pursuing government forces continued to engage in gunbattles, thousands of residents from several villagers in Tiaong, Candelaria and this town have left their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Dolores Mayor Rolando San Jose said more than 700 families from the villages of San Mateo, Antonino, Manggahan and Sitio Asuncion in Bungoy have left their houses, leaving behind their properties and farm animals. Inquirer News Service on Wednesday spotted a group of women evacuees from San Mateo walking frantically along the provincial road going to Dolores poblacion. San Jose on Tuesday cancelled all classess in public and private schools in this town. He said residents have sought refuge in churches and town halls in the poblacion or town plaza. On Tuesday evening, Representative Proceso Alcala rushed to the affected villagers and brought relief goods. Tanggol Kalikasan (Nature Advocate), an environmentalist group, has transformed their office in Lucena City into a relief operation center.

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