ZAMBOANGA CITY: While fighting between the military and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu province subsided early on Friday, the number of villagers who had abandoned their houses continued to rise as more families fled for their safety.

Officials said at least 5,000 people – mostly from Patikul town – have left their villages and sought refuge in other areas far away from the violence. Majority of those affected by the fighting came from the villages of Latih, Bungkahung, Tugas and Maligay.

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