CRISIS City to extend aid to Marawi

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the City Government is willing to extend help to Marawi City once the gunfight between government forces and members of the Maute group ends.

In his news conference yesterday, Osmeña said he will send a team from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office led by its chief Nagiel Bañacia to Marawi once the situation stabilizes to evaluate the needs of the affected residents.

“Whether it’s from Marawi or elsewhere, if people are in need, we will help. But you just don’t send help, you have to go there to find out what do they need and who’s going to get it,” he said.

As to the immediate assis- tance that the affected residents need while the siege is ongoing, Osmeña said Marawi has neighboring cities that can extend direct help.

Last Thursday, Osmeña met with officials of the Muslim community and asked for their help in securing the city.

The mayor said the local Muslim community had been helpful in monitoring suspicious-looking individuals arriving in the city.

He recalled it was the Muslim community who tipped off authorities about bombing threats in Cebu in the past.

“The Muslims here feel accepted. That’s a very special trait of the Cebuano culture. We don’t discriminate if you’re not from here. That’s our strength. It’s not the police, it’s not the mayor, it’s the attitude of the Cebuanos,” he said.

The mayor believes that the Muslims, who have been residing in the city for years, will not allow people who want to create trouble to enter their community.

The mayor is also asking the public to help secure the city by immediately reporting to authorities suspicious-looking individuals. /