What if what we have are broken promises?

Letters . 

MARAWI City — The ground breaking has given me and many a 50-50 reaction, where a half of me felt happiness and a very powering hope, thinking that this could really be something, this could really be the start, there is really a hope for the people of Marawi. But a part me was doubtful, considering the trust issues every IDP (internally displaced person0 has developed towards the government because of the unanswered questions we had and have that are often left unanswered.

No matter how much we want to be idealistic about the implications of the Groundbreaking, because of the almost two years of sufferings, all we can stand for now is to be realistic. The compensation bill is still not marked as an urgent bill, the rehabilitation budget is not part of the GAA 2019 so we are still full of questions and doubts because of all the possibilities that could happen.

You know the wind will never just blow in a single direction. We are still afraid that what if one day we will be left disappointed and have nothing in our hands but new sets of broken promises and expectations?

I was really disappointed that the President was not able to grace the event. We know that he is the father of millions of Filipino but the Meranaw people needed to see his sincerity and compassion towards his people, the Meranaw.

The hope that was felt by the people during the event could have been doubled if he was there because as the father of our nation, he can stand as our symbol of hope.

We cannot deny that many of the people of Marawi are questioning his love towards them. The commitment of the government would have been strengthened if he was there.

I strongly believe that regardless of what kind of rehabilitation they will be doing in the MAA and in Marawi, the only time you can call it a success is when the people are part of it.

Basically, studies have proven that a before any infrastructural changes and improvements, we should heal the people first.

So far we have to heal the trust the people have lost towards their relationship with the government. Show them, us that we are really part of this process. Let us access our homes. Those aren’t just debris.

Like them we pray for a successful rehab but we want to be part of it. Stop making us feel as if we are just Bakwits, stop making us feel as if we are the only people responsible for what happened to our lands and homes. Stop making us feel as if we are walking businesses.

We are someone more. We are the owners, we are the natives in this land, we are the victims here. Healing would be a lot easier if we can really feel a solid sincerity, care, love. Not this diluted and unclear commitment. —Khayriyyah Faykha Alonto Ala, 18, Mindanao State University in Marawi City

Instead of ML

ANAK Mindanao Partylist votes no to the third extension of martial law, and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao.

The Anak Mindanao Partylist expresses strong opposition to another extension of martial law in Mindanao. Extending martial law on the island is not justified because active rebellion and invasion — the conditions under which the Constitution allows the declaration of martial rule in an area for a limited period of time — no longer exists. A military rule in Mindanao will not reduce the threat of terrorism. Instead, it will further project the negative image of a volatile state, which lawmakers have been trying to change..

Anak Mindanao believes that a reformed military institution and disciplined police force will be the keys to effectively maintaining peace and order in the island’s communities.

The further improvement of these components is what is truly necessary, rather than extending martial law. Furthermore, we also feel that another extension of martial law will prove hugely detrimental to our business sector in Mindanao. Recent media reports coming from Northern Mindanao indicated a general sentiment that martial law has exacted a negative impact on all-around local business operations — derailing the release of funding for new projects and the unhampered flow of investments into potential economic ventures.

Anak Mindanao’s position on this issue does not mean it is against efforts of the government to end lawlessness in Mindanao. We simply believe that military operation is not the only solution to problems of peace and order on the island. Local government units also play an important role in facilitating peace and order. Through guidance from appropriate national policies, local governments have put in place anti-terrorism strategies that should bring about change significantly.

Instead of extending Martial Law, we should push LGUs to practice their mandate and activate all mechanisms for peace. We call on members of this August chamber to be very vocal in rejecting martial law extension in Mindanao. Let us focus more on important pieces of legislation that will benefit the Filipino people! Anak Mindanao Partylist votes no to the third extension of martial law, and the suspension of the writ of Habeas Corpus in Mindanao. —Amihilda J. Sangcopan, representative Anak Mindanao

(This was the explanation of Sangcopan’s vote against the third extension of martial law in Mindanao and suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, delivered at the Joint Session of Congress this Dec. 12.)