Marawi Siege Scars Remain as Philippines Prepares for Polls
· audio
The Unhealed Wounds of Marawi: A City’s Struggle for Reconciliation
As the Philippines prepares to hold its first elections in semi-autonomous Muslim Mindanao, the scars of the 2017 Marawi siege still linger. The city, once a thriving hub of commerce and culture, lies in ruins, its people left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. A recent visit by voters to the gravesite of the fallen is a stark reminder that the healing process has been woefully slow.
The devastation wrought by the siege was not just physical – more than 1,000 people lost their lives, and over 300 remain unaccounted for. The displacement of families, loss of livelihoods, and trauma inflicted on civilians have left deep wounds that show no signs of healing. One of the most egregious issues facing the displaced is the compensation process.
A special government board has been set up to handle claims, but its slow pace and bureaucratic red tape have left many frustrated. According to reports, only about half of the estimated 14,000 claimants have received payment, with some still waiting for death certificates to be issued by the government. The compensation board’s requirement that applicants provide a death certificate has been criticized as overly restrictive.
Families like Sophia Aminolla’s, who lost loved ones in the fighting, are struggling to navigate this process. “We’re not being given the right answers,” she said, exasperated by her family’s claim being rejected. For families like hers, the lack of transparency and accountability is a major obstacle to healing.
The rebuilding of Marawi is underway, with some structures being rebuilt and businesses starting to return. However, for many residents, this progress is little comfort. The city’s mayor estimates that around 10% of its pre-siege population still has not returned or been resettled. For those who have, the journey back has been long and arduous.
The aftermath of the siege raises important questions about the role of government in times of crisis. While some may argue that compensation is a necessary step towards healing, others see it as a Band-Aid solution to deeper issues. Acram Latiph, executive director of the Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao, points out that the real injustice faced by displaced families is their inability to return home.
As the Philippines prepares to elect new leaders, the people of Marawi are sending a clear message: they want justice, not just compensation. They want answers about what happened during those fateful months in 2017, and accountability for those responsible. The clock is ticking – with the government’s mandate set to expire in 2028, time is running out for the compensation board to handle its cases.
The Marawi siege was a stark reminder of the fragility of peace in the region. As the country looks to the future, it must confront the painful truths of its past. The people of Marawi deserve more than just empty words – they demand action.
Reader Views
- TSThe Studio Desk · editorial
The Marawi siege's long-term impact extends far beyond the physical destruction. The root of the problem lies in the slow pace of justice for victims and their families. Many claimants face impossible hurdles, such as waiting years for death certificates to be issued by a government already overstretched. Meanwhile, rebuilding efforts focus on infrastructure rather than addressing the social and emotional trauma inflicted on residents. It's time for the Philippines to recognize that healing cannot happen without accountability, transparency, and genuine support for those affected.
- CBCam B. · audio engineer
It's disheartening to see the Marawi siege's aftermath still playing out like a slow-motion tragedy. What really gets lost in all this is the economic cost of rebuilding – not just physical infrastructure, but also the small businesses and livelihoods that were decimated during the siege. Without addressing these economic scars, it's unlikely that residents will truly be able to heal or rebuild their lives. The compensation process needs to be overhauled to prioritize supporting displaced families' immediate needs, rather than just processing claims on paper.
- RSRiya S. · podcast host
While the rebuilding of Marawi is underway, it's crucial to acknowledge that physical reconstruction alone cannot restore a city's emotional and social fabric. The compensation process for displaced families remains a major hurdle, with bureaucratic delays and restrictive requirements exacerbating the trauma of those affected. A more pressing concern is ensuring that community-led initiatives have a seat at the decision-making table, rather than relying solely on government-led efforts. This could foster greater trust and ownership among residents, facilitating a more inclusive and sustainable recovery process for Marawi.