The Marawi problem is not over yet. Latest reports said that the military was preparing for its final assault against the remaining members of Maute group who remain holed up in the city. There are, however, less news updates now. It appears that interest in this very important issue is waning.
It is not surprising given the many other problems we face as a nation. The brutal murder by the police of 17-year-old student Kian delos Santos in the guise of a legitimate anti-drugs operation, the more than 13 thousand victims of Duterte’s “war on drugs,” the P6.4 billion worth of drugs smuggled through the Bureau of Customs, the accusation that the President’s son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo’s involvement in smuggling; and the alleged widespread corruption in the BOC are but some. Indeed, it’s more fun in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the victims of Marawi siege, the more than 300,000 largely Maranao internally displaced persons more than 80 percent of which are outside of evacuation centers, live miserable lives. More than 500 families of my organization’s members are among those displaced and are staying in Iligan City.
Our Maranao leaders headed by Saripah Ansao-Lomondot urgently sought our help because many of the people were already going hungry. Most of our members are not in evacuation centers, and thus, hardly reached by “official” assistance. We try to help by soliciting relief goods but have been stumped because we could not find an economical way to bring the goods to them. Unlike during the Ondoy and Yolanda crises when courier companies offered their services for free, this time, there seems to be nothing. Thus, helping has become more difficult.
My team had to go to Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro for activities. We decided to just send the almost 30 big boxes of relief goods via cargo so they would arrive CDO the same with us. Saripah was there to pick them up and bring them to Iligan City.
It was a bittersweet reunion because I knew it was a difficult time for her and the rest of our members BUT I had no idea how difficult things have been, and are.
Saripah was in Manila on Day One of the Marawi siege. She was scheduled to go home the following day but was told by relatives to just proceed to Iligan because Marawi was already burning. Her youngest daughter was the only one home when the trouble began. She was on her way to school but got lucky because classmates had the presence of mind to message her to not proceed anymore as they, her classmates, were already being taken hostage by ISIS. The young woman was taken by her cousins and they sought refuge in a relative’s house. A few days after, they were able to get out and went to Iligan. Saripah’s only son remains in Marawi assisting rescue operations there.
The Maranao people is a proud and brave people. I know because I have worked with them for many years. What happened to Marawi devastated not only their home city but the people as well.
When Saripah and a few others came to me in Cagayan de Oro, it was not only to receive the relief goods and talk (I thought they also needed to express their frustrations) but also in search of whatever possibilities there may be for the families of our members. I was jolted by the very miserable life they now live.
They told me stories of those who used to be rich in Marawi who lost everything and are now homeless and without money. They spoke of women seemingly losing their minds because of what happened to them and their families, and the lack of food now. One woman they know is often seen in Gaisano mall, dirty and disheveled, endlessly walking and mumbling to herself. Some IDPs have resorted to begging, knocking on doors in Iligan and asking for anything, especially food that may be spared them.
There were pregnant women who gave birth in other people’s homes and now having problems nourishing their babies since food is quite scarce. They heard of infants dying without the benefit of medical help. Not a few are getting sick, both young and old.
Many remain missing up to this day and their relatives can only hope that they are still alive.
Even those in evacuation centers suffer a lot. Some go out to find any kind of work, washing clothes, cleaning homes, just so they can earn some and buy food. Saripah was told that it has been ten days since the last help was received by those in one of the centers.
The most common food supplied to those in evacuation centers is canned sardines. Thus, people there have been eating sardines continuously for many, many days. Some IDPs have developed skin diseases they attribute to too much sardines. The more entrepreneurial ones trade the sardines for other things they need. Cans of sardines become the currency. Two cans for some ‘good’ rice, a pack of instant noodles, a bar of soap, or toothpaste.
Victims of the Marawi siege are at a quandary as regards rebuilding their lives. Most of those who escaped the war-torn city have not been able to go back even just to check their homes. One of our leaders was able to sneak back one day and the news she brought to other IDPs devastated them more. Most of the structures, buildings, homes, businesses, even mosques have been destroyed. Those left have been mercilessly looted.
Saripah’s home, she heard, still stands but there is nothing there now. Also, the small building she and her kids put up for their livelihood has been bombed and completely destroyed. She asked, what are we to do now? Even if this war stops, there is no more Marawi. If we go back, what are we going back to? How are our people going to rebuild our lives?
I have no answers to my Maranao sisters’ questions. Marawi was their home. And now, according to them, it is no more. And sadly, many of us easily forget. Even if the military defeats Maute, hundreds of thousands of families need to be helped get their lives back.
We must help. Please, we have a lot of other problems but let us remember and help #Marawi.
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