Displaced Marawi children meet Duterte in Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines — “I will ask my beloved President to put an end to martial law, build our houses and help us gain access to capital.”

 

This was the reply of 13-year-old Princess when asked what she would tell President Rodrigo Duterte when given the chance to talk to him.

 

Princess was one of the 35 children from Marawi who met with Duterte Tuesday in Malacañang under a military program that aims to provide them psychosocial support.

 

The children aged seven to 13 years old were displaced by the Marawi crisis, which started after Islamic State-inspired terrorists from the Maute group laid siege to the city on May 23.

 

 

“They came from different evacuation centers in different areas in Marawi and Lanao del Sur. They were selected to see a peaceful environment, community, learn other cultures, heritage, and other opportunities,” Army Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said.

 

“We want them to have a better perspective to be part of a peaceful society,” he added.

 

Herrera said the children would be given a tour of some Metro Manila landmarks, including the Malacañang Museum, Rizal Park, the SM Mall of Asia, the Mind Museum and the Army headquarters.

 

A total of 614 Maute militants, 45 civilians and 133 government troopers have died since the clashes started three months ago. The terrorist attacks prompted Duterte to declare martial law in the entire island of Mindanao.

 

RELATED: P2.3 B needed to rebuild Marawi schools — DepEd

 

The children were excited to meet Duterte and were eager to tell him their concerns.

 

“We want to tell him that we are thankful for the help. We will also ask him to build houses because our houses were destroyed,” said 12-year-old Alyaniza Saydane.

 

According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, 78,466 families — or  359,680 people — have been displaced by fighting in Marawi as of August 15.

 

Almerah, 13, said she would ask the President to grant her a scholarship because she had to stop her studies because of financial problems.

 

She also prepared a handwritten letter for the President that detailed the hardships she experienced in the battle-ravaged city.

 

“The gunshots and bombs were loud. We escaped towards Sagiaran and had to walk in the forest for two hours. It was very hard for my small siblings and cousin,” she said in the letter.

 

 

“Thank you for the soldiers you sent but we are not happy because we had to leave our homes in Marawi,” she added

 

Duterte assured the children that the government will rebuild Marawi and advised them to ignore the promises and teachings of the terrorists.

 

“I promise you. We will rebuild Marawi. We will build buildings and I will give you a new hope,” the President said.