Lanao Sur seeks inclusion in ‘TF Bangon Marawi’

MARAWI CITY  --The provincial government of Lanao del Sur, which this city belongs, is asking the national government to be included in the inter-agency task force created by President Rodrigo Duterte that will focus on the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of this city.

Assemblyman Zia Alonto-Adiong on Wednesday said they are reiterating the call for the national government to “ensure the representation of the” of the residences of Lanao de Sur through its local government in the Task Force Bangon Marawi.

“We are requesting the [the national government] for us to be included as a regular member of the task force as we are adversely affected by this ongoing crisis,” Adiong said.

He noted that the role of the local government is only to “assist in getting data” based on the Administrative Order No. 3 dated June 28, 2017 creating the Task Force Bangon Marawi.

The task force are headed by Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and Departmenat of Public Works and Highways Sec. Mark Villar.

Adiong said by being a member of the task force, the local government can “well articulate” the needs of the people in Lanao del Sur.

“We want to be part of the decision-making process. We want the people here to feel the sense of ownership in our intent to rehabilitate Marawi,” he said.

The ongoing crisis in this city has been raging for 51 days. The conflict started when IS-inspired Maute group and Abu Sayyaf bandits claimed parts of this city in a bid to declare “wilayat” or caliphate.

The gun battle has reduced major areas of this city into rubble as people flee triggering humanitarian crisis.

Data from the provincial crisis management committee showed that 33 people have died due to various illness at the evacuation centers as of Wednesday, July 12.

The Maute group and Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding hostage more than a hundred civilians even though their strength have been significantly reduced in the more than a month of fighting.

On Tuesday, the government troops have rescued another four civilians near the Bangolo bridge.

A total of 1,753 civilians have been rescued since the fighting started on May 23.

The rescuers were also able to retrieve 57 cadavers. It is not yet clear, if some of those cadavers were of civilians or members of the Maute group and Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Adiong said they are also calling for the national government to be “aggressive” in the humanitarian efforts.

“The crisis should not be dealt through military action but also ensure the humanitarian needs of the internally displaced individuals,” Adiong said.

There are about 200,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scattered in the city of Iligan, and in the towns of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte provinces. (Darwin Wally T. Wee/PNA)