Open letter to the defense Secretary on the Marawi lockdown

Dear Secretary Delfin Lorenzana,

FIRST of all, allow us to express our appreciation to you for being a gentleman and true to your word that you will no longer seek the extension of Martial Law.

We may have disagreed with you in the past on the basis or justification for the declaration and extension of martial law in Mindanao by the President. But let us all put that behind and face the present and future challenges on security issues.

Let me say as a Displaced person myself and my family, that more than two years under martial law are the darkest days in our entire lives but thanks to Allah (SWT) we are all alive and well.

Only the Meranaws affected know of the unspeakable horrors that took place or we experienced for the past two years. We may disagree on how martial law fared among us, but there’s always room for dialogues and ways to address all matters.

But that is not the subject of this letter. We can address the issues on human rights violations like destruction of properties, massive lootings and the issue on missing and dead in some other forums.

We are writing to you because we thought that after the lifting of martial law, we can regain our normal life with less restrictions and fears but unfortunately we are told that the “lockdown” from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am being implemented in Marawi and Lanao Del Sur for the past two years is still in place (I am not sure if you are aware of this or this is just a local arrangement between the Local Government Units and Security forces assigned here) under the guise of implementing Proclamation 55 issued by the President in 2016 after the Davao Bombing. I am aware that some of the perpetrators were already arrested and suspects named. We have nothing against the Proclamation or extensive coordination among Government Security forces to suppress lawlessness and violence.

But what we don’t understand is why a place like Marawi of which more than half of is residents are displaced, need the lockdown? Half of our city is a ghost area.

Reports of vehicular accidents that took place along Marawi-Iligan areas are being blamed on the lockdown. Also, because of the lockdown, those traveling by air and need to catch up with the first flight early morning have to book an overnight hotel just to get to the airport on time. Not only is time wasted but also money. Those are just some of the complaints that we received.

Let me say also that our group has nothing against military and police checkpoints. In fact, we are hoping to request that if we can have those 24/7, that would be very much appreciated by the travelling residents of Marawi and Lanao del Sur.

If apprehensions or fear of the unknown are the reason by some with due respect to our LGUs, we can even agree on a compromise. If there is a justification for it, we can implement 10 p.m. curfew for bystanders similar to those applied in other regions but definitely not lockdown because this limits the movement and opportunity of the affected residents.

Hoping as always that your good office will look into this issue.

Thank You and Bless you po. (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Drieza Lininding is convenor of the Moro Consensus Group. This letter was first posted on his FB page, addressed to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzan, with copy furnished Bangsmoaro Local Governments Minister Naguib Sinarimbo and Anak Mindanaw party-list Rep. Amihilds Sangcopan)