MARAWI CITY (MindaNews / 10 Dec) — Many are scrambling for a piece of Marawi’s peace. Through rehabilitation work, private and government sectors are aiming to contribute some share to build from the ashes of Marawi.
Having met various reporters from Japan, Australia, UK, US for the past six months, we always emphasize addressing the roots of terror. Did you know that Hapilon in Basilan was actually pounded on with armed operations and could have been forced to flee and found Marawi as a haven? This is one theory from a reliable source, and shows if true that armed operations leads to more force.
Force fought with force emits force and violence. Peace movements were taken unprepared, civilians taken aback.
They continue to grapple in picking up the pieces, do we go abroad, elsewhere in Pinas or where.
A former MNLF youth leader of Nur Misuari in the 1990s tells me poignantly, why is Manila taking over Marawi rehabilitation. I could not give answers. Many are well-meaning just like the CSO support in Iligan City, 160 groups by August were recorded to be operating for Marawi City, some calendared contracts until December. And with a looming extension of martial law, INGOs and NGOs would have to look beyond December. Meranao experts would have to brush up their CVs and shell in their expertise
Decisions of families are not as well-consulted unlike the time to gather in the past. Miniparak describes how families have been divided and fending for themselves on their own location, a sad, sad phenomenon.
Grumblings of sightings of the black urge peace and order councils to convene but to what extent are the efficiency of enforcement activities. No more Marawi attacks, we weakly plead.
And the pleading continues. Allow us to enter Marawi battle areas to salvage remaining valuables, first touch on our homes … and for the short-sighted, reminder to say NO to martial law, kaya nawala mga bahay dahil nag away-away ang pwersa. (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Samira Ali Gutoc-Tomawis, Ll.B., co-founder of the Young Moro Professionals resigned as Commissioner of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in late May, days after the Marawi Crisis started, citing personal reasons and policy questions. Samira is one of the organizers of the Ranao Rescue Team, a group set up to respond to the crisis. She had earlier served as an assemblywoman, women sector, of the Regional Legislative Assembly, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and was former director, Al-Amanah Islamic Bank, Inc. and former director of the Marawi Resort Hotel, Inc.)
