Manila, Oct. 28 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ready to assist residents of Tipo-Tipo in Basilan province who will be directly affected by the ongoing "rido"-related violence.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has directed the Field Office 9 (FO-9) (Zamboanga Peninsula) to be on the alert for the possible augmentation of family food packs (FFPs) and other non-food items (NFIs) that may be needed by residents who might get displaced by the local conflict, according to a news release on Tuesday.

"Tell the mayor of Tipo-Tipo and the governor of Basilan that the DSWD is ready to help them in case there are internally-displaced persons. Keep me updated," Gatchalian texted FO-9 Regional Director Riduan Hadjimuddin....