Mindanaoans rejoice over Marawi liberation
MARAWI CITY — There was an outpouring of jubilation, support and hope for this war-ravaged city, which President Rodrigo Roa Duterte had declared “liberated” by government forces Tuesday from more than five months of being under siege by the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute terror group.
“We are one with the people of Marawi and Lanao del Sur in welcoming with jubilation the declaration by the President of the Liberation of the city from terrorists and the commencement of its rehabilitation,” said Lanao del Sur Provincial Crisis Management Committee head Zia Alonto Adiong in a statement issued Tuesday.
Adiong noted that the provincial government of Lanao del Sur never abandoned the provincial capitol in Marawi City – both as symbol of resistance against terrorism and its abiding commitment to continue the delivery of basic services to our people.”
“Today, while we remember with sadness and great pain, the deaths, sufferings and loss of our people, we also rejoice in the thought that we may now on rebuilding, rehabilitating not only the physical structures but more importantly, the social fabric of our community in the hope that we can truly have a peaceful, developed and a caring society in Marawi and its neighboring communities,” Adiong said in the statement.
He also highlighted that the provincial government would also want to “pay respects to the lives our soldier’s sacrificed for this liberation to materialize”.
Adiong added that the defeat of the Maute-IS Group in the battle in Marawi provided them with “the opportunity not only to win the war against violent extremism, but also the rare privilege of winning the peace by addressing the root cause of the conflict in Mindanao, having said that “we shall do our outmost to contribute towards this end”.
Adiong likewise called on the people of Lanao del Sur “to stand together to fight violent extremism and to fashion by our own hands and deeds our collective vision of peaceful, developed and vibrant Marawi-one that truly symbolizes all the great things about the Maranao people.”
Adiong’s statement came as business leaders based in Davao City likewise extolled the President’s declaration.
Mindanao Business Council (MBC) chair Vicente T. Lao said it was “good news for Mindanao because displaced families will finally enjoy the blessings of peace”.
“Now, we can start the rehabilitation of Marawi,” he said.
Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president Ronald Go was elated over the liberation of the city from the terrorists, and hoped that this will be “a unifying moment for all to bring about the growth and development in the country.”
“It is unfortunate that there are those who cannot seem to look beyond their previous affiliations and prioritize the welfare of our country,” he said.
DCCCII trustee Arturo Milan said the liberation will now allow “our brothers and sisters in Marawi to start rebuilding their lives,” while hoping that “this will be the last time that the country will experience such challenges in order to experience peace and prosperity.”