Classes resume in 12 public schools in Marawi City

Classes resumed in 12 public elementary schools in Marawi City, as clashes between security forces and Daesh-inspired fighters continue in the main battle area on Tuesday (September 5).

Brigadier General Rolando Joselito Bautista, commander of the Joint Task Force Marawi, said classes in Sultan Conding Elementary School, Sikap Elementary School, Cabingan Primary School, Banga Elementary School, Datu Tambak Elementary School, Rorogagus Elementary School, Bito Elementary School, Pendolonan Elementary School, Abdulazis Elementary School, Camp Bagong Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School, Sugod Elementary School, and Mipaga Elementary School started Tuesday morning.

"We are nearing the end of the battle with the gun fight confined to the main battle area in the besieged city. Security measures are being tightened to preempt any attempts by the terrorists to hamper classes,” added Brigadier General Bautista.

As classes in 12 elementary and secondary schools start on Tuesday, the different Joint Task Groups under JTF Marawi had series of conferences, discussing security preparations and arrangements to ensure that faculty and students will feel safe when they come to their campuses.

"This is one of the steps taken by the security forces and the local government units to bring normalcy in the city. We are taking a gradual phase because we want to ensure that we are doing the right thing and that we are putting to primacy the welfare of the Maranaos,” said the Commander Joint Task Force Marawi.

"We are optimistic that as long as everyone is taking the same path, we will surely win this war against terrorism," said Lieutenant General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command. 

"I have always said that 'education is the antidote for peace', and with that, your Armed Forces will make sure that we will continue to work for the rehabilitation of the other schools, colleges and universities within the city that were affected by this crisis. We will be with the people in taking the road to normalcy," added the WestMinCom Chief.

On August 22, six hundred students were transported from Iligan City to the campus of the Mindanao State University in Marawi City as classes resumed in the said university.

As of last Friday (September 1), more than 9,000 students of MSU joined the University's 56th Founding Anniversary celebration with LTGen Galvez as their Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Anchored on the theme “MSU @ 56: A Thousand Minds Illuminating the Path to Recovery, Peace, and Development for Marawi City,” the anniversary celebration was held at the university gymnasium from 9am to 12noon last Friday.

The Vice President for Administration and Finance Officer in Charge, Atty Jamaloden Basar said in his welcome message, "Unity in diversity is not a myth. What we have done here can attest to that line."

"We may be different in our beliefs but we are the same in one goal: we want to promote peace and education in the lives of the next generation," Basar added.

"We feel safe that among the soldiers are MSU graduates, who we consider are already part of the MSU family. Surely with the MSU alumni, the soldiers will never leave us behind."

Following the opening of the schools, other government offices will also soon start cleaning their respective offices in Marawi City for the possible resumption of their operations.