Women join the Iftar or breaking of the fast during Ramadan in Davao City last Friday. The event is part of Salaam National conference 2019 on Islamic Identities and Dialogue in Southeast Asia hosted by Ateneo de Davao University and Al Qalam Institute. MindaNews photo by Ferdinandh Cabrera
- Advertisement -

By Teng Lauban Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief .

MARAWI City — “We are on our way to being well. We are finally learning what peace is all about,” Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra declared as residents here commemorated the siege that occurred two years ago.

- Advertisement -

Although, the full extent of the rehabilitation process has yet to be completed, Gandamra urged the people in Marawi to put more emphasis on social healing.

“Peace starts with us. Peace must be realized,” he said as the city celebrates the culmination of the Week of Peace festival.

The festival was held right at the grounds of the City Hall, where two years ago, the Mayor and several of his security men stood firm for days preventing the Maute group from burning the City Hall.

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr., who was then the chief of Western Mindanao Command, shared that just like their mayor who fought against the ISIS-linked group tooth and nail, the people of Marawi have shown their best by being resilient right at the height of the conflict.

“I was tasked to deliver an inspirational message today as we culminate the Marawi Week of Peace. But the reality is, it is you, the people of Marawi, who have inspired and strengthen my resolve to work for genuine and enduring peace,” he said.

Galvez emphasized that Marawi stand to benefit from the establishment of the Bangsamoro region.

According to Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario, chair of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, few families affected by the conflict are still residing in evacuation camps.

“At the initial aftermath of the siege, there were about 57 evacuation centers with almost 6,000 families within and outside of Marawi. Now we have only two evacuation centers in Marawi with only about 312 families,” he said.

Rosario said Marawi is gradually bouncing back.

“We are mandated to ensure that marawi will rise as a prosperous city again,” he said.

To achieve a holistic approach for the healing process, the Armed Forces of the Philippines is partnering with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) to help rehabilitate former members of the Maute group.

Col. Romeo Brawner, the commander of Task Force Ranao, said it is also important to intervene in the deradicalization of these individuals who were duped to join the Maute group.

“We are looking at the Basilan model, wherein members of the Abu Sayyaf, who have surrendered, where given proper interventions,” he said.

Galvez said his office will be helping the military in Lanao areas to bring down the level of animosity between the victims of the conflict and surrendered perpetrators.

“What we are looking at is the implementation of transitional justice and reconciliation here,” he said.

Part of the activities is to meet with the members of the Maute group who have surrendered and their families for an Iftar.

Brawner said they will tap these former and reformed combatants to prevent others from radicalizing.

Galvez also went to the Sarimanok Evacuation Center together with Opapp personnel to handover goods in solidarity with the internally displaced persons.

The visit is part of the yearly Duyog Ramadan that Opapp is implementing during the month-long observance.

Meanwhile, Sec Galvez, Sec Rosario, Mayor Gandamra and Col. Brawner held a solemn wreath laying to commemorate the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice to liberate Marawi. The ceremony was held inside the 103rd Infantry Brigade. (with reports from opapp)

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -