Bangon Marawi (Part 2)

It truly was a great opportunity for me to have joined the rest of global media and see for ourselves the progress in Marawi. While there are still many questions and issues surrounding the rehabilitation, as a reserve officer, I’d like to place the focus of my second article from a military perspective in the hopes that it would help the rest of us also appreciate the current situation in the area.

Part of our itinerary was to visit Kampo Ranao in Marawi and listen to Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of the 103rd Brigade who briefed the press. In his report we were informed that from May 23, 2017- Oct. 24, 2017,  the area experienced a decisive military victory. 

These results that form part of the Army Vision for 2028 also showed the failure of the militants to establish a provincial ISIS territory. Isnilon Hapilon, Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS emir in Southeast Asia was also killed, including all seven Maute brothers wherein finally, in Oct. 17, 2017, Marawi City was declared liberated by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Among government forces, 168 persons were killed, 1,600+ were wounded while 954 ISIS inspired-Maute combatants were declared dead. Nearly 1.1 million individuals have been displaced by the siege.

In the assessment given to us by the Brawner we learned that the focused military operations and special intelligence operations have prevented the planned expansion of the group in Muslim communities. They, however, will continue to recruit and organize in order to fulfill their plans of a Moro Company as well as continue their alliances with some MILF for their protection.

The efforts being undertaken currently therefore is the continued implementation of Martial Law where surveys have also shown that the residents themselves prefer to remain in this state.

Other current efforts by the Philippine Army also extend to RIDO settlement. RIDO is a Maranaw term used in Mindanao to refer to clan feuds. Rido is known to be one of the major problems in Mindanao as this also adds to the issue of displacement of families due to destruction of properties, not to mention crippling the local economy.

We are all fully aware of the Task Force Bangon Marawi which was created to strengthen both the cooperation and collaboration between national agencies and local governments to restore the lives of those affected by the siege.

While this task force includes inter-agency subcommittees for peace and order, reconstruction, housing, business and livelihood and land resource management, the Philippine Army also gives its full support for this massive initiative as well as in the complete normalization process.

Last but not least, it is also very important to note that, the Philippine Army is aggressively doing its part not only to counter violent extremism but to also prevent this in the first place. War teaches us many things, most especially those who are at the forefront. The army efforts as I mentioned earlier is part of the vision for a stronger force and source of national pride by 2028 and as such efforts also include reintegration of surrenderees, it is also very important to note that what we all want to build or rebuild here is peace.