STATEMENTS

IDEALS stands with IDPs calling for the overdue rehabilitation of the city and ample government assistance to victims of Marawi siege

Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) pleading calls to local and national government units during the People’s Memorialization for the Fourth Year of Marawi Siege

“Pakinggan ninyo kami” (Listen to us).

This was the pleading call of Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) to local and national government units during the People’s Memorialization for the Fourth Year of Marawi Siege held last Sunday, May 23, 2021 at the Maqbara Mass Grave in Marawi City.

Exactly four years prior, an armed conflict between the violent extremist organization Maute Group and the Philippine military broke out. Thus began the longest urban battle in Philippine history, which lasted for five months and resulted in thousands of civilian deaths, displacement of over 350,000 residents of Marawi and nearby municipalities, and widespread destruction of infrastructures. Moreover, the siege triggered the declaration of martial law in Mindanao which further justified silencing of dissent and disrupted what was already a measly development effort in the region.

Among other grave impacts, the large-scale conflict took a heavy toll on the emotional well-being of the local residents, especially when viewed in the broader context of lack of support for recovery and rehabilitation. To this day, IDPs are still living in temporary shelters that were not built for permanent settlement. The lack of clarity as to how their lives will get back to normal has been a clear source of frustration. They recounted dire economic conditions in the city and lack of opportunities that should empower them to move forward. Furthermore, the woefully inadequate support breeds more discontent and distrust which could fuel more resentment.

Despite the allocation of over P60 billion in funds for rebuilding and rehabilitation, social and economic conditions that bred the siege remain. Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) highlighted ongoing construction of infrastructures inside ground zero, including a memorial park and a museum. But such infrastructures are bereft of public consultation, further alienating IDPs from government facilities that should cater to them.

“What use will we have for a museum?”, Chairman of the civic group Moro Consensus Group Drieza Lininding demanded. Nunsi Dancal, a bakwit from Barangay Datu sa Dansalan, described feeling left out of the decision-making process with regards to how funds are used. “Para bang nakalimutan na kami” (It seems like we are forgotten), she shared.

Shouting for a safe and dignified return of IDPs

As part of a broader objective to eradicate the escalation of violent extremist groups and its recruitment from the youth sector, IDEALS together with various local and international CSOs and NGOs, initiated relevant projects such as the S’bang Ka Marawi radio program which provides a platform for the youth to dialogue with duty-bearers and activate crucial public discussions within the community’s most vulnerable sectors. Through a holistic approach that extends to critical social institutions such as the family and local schools and universities, the youth community patrollers have truly become the backbone of our initiative in the region.

But the vast and complex issues faced by the victims of the Marawi Siege cannot be addressed by the work that we and other groups, as well as the youth and other community members, do alone. Without ample government aid and rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts rooted from the needs of the IDPs, the effects of the siege will carry on across generations of Maranao people.

IDEALS firmly stands in unity with the IDPs and the larger Marawi population in demanding accountability from Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) and the Duterte administration for an inclusive rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts for the city. While long overdue, the State must fulfill its duty to protect its people and uphold their rights. The Maranao people deserve to restore a sense of normalcy and heal from the Marawi Siege and, like the rest of the Philippine population, live their lives with dignity. #