Maranao groups set Iligan meeting to tackle ‘lapses,’ ‘violations’ committed in Marawi

By Nora Sorino and Sita Asequia
of GSD-Iligan bureau

ILIGAN City — An aggrupation of various Maranao groups called the “Bangsa Mranaw” is set to meet in this city next week to tackle the “lapses,” “violations” and other concerns in connection with the Marawi crisis.

Lawyer Firdausi Abbas, “Sultan of Lanao,” said some 500 people are expected to take part in the Sept. 30 Bangsa Mranaw Congress.

Abbas said they were documenting the lapses and violations, and were contemplating on filing cases with the International Criminal Court.

But the priority, he said, is rebuilding and the rehabilitation of the predominantly Muslim city.

“Why are they not involving the Maranaws, the Moro people in these tasks?” he asked rhetorically.

He lamented that Marawi has been turned into a “military reservation” even as he criticized the government for barring Maranaos from returning.

Abbas said the reason “safety concerns” is just a “excuse” even as he noted that the government has been issuing contrasting statements about the real Marawi situation especially on the number of remaining Maute Group fighters.

Abbas laughed off the assertion that Isis was establishing a “caliphate in Asia” and that it wants Marawi to be its seat. He said this is impossible because establishing a caliphate is basically building an empire.

He said the “sultans”of Marawi, Bacolod and Guimba shared the same sentiments.

Abbas also called on the government to stop the air strikes.