Tornado sweeps Maguindanao village

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines – More than a dozen families were displaced after a tornado destroyed their homes and fish cages in Salibo town here over the weekend.

Municipal officials said the tornado swept through a newly established enclave of Muslim farmers in Sitio Busligan in Barangay Andavit, displacing villagers.

Residents only recently returned to the area, which was abandoned for decades due to skirmishes between Muslim rebels and military forces.

Wahab Tunga, provincial administrator, said the affected families need immediate help from relief organizations.

Tunga said the victims want to rebuild their homes and their fish pens.

The provincial government earlier extended assistance to the displaced families, now sheltered by relatives in nearby barangays.