Crisis in Marawi

Since 1969, the ‘Moro Conflict’, between government military and Moro Islamic militants,
continues even today in the Mindanao region, the southern part of the Philippines (ACAPS,
2019).

For years, the Bangsamoro peace process was carefully initiated and contextualized into a
framework since 1997 to achieve a peace agreement between the government and the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which was agreed and signed by both parties in Malaysia as a
third party in 2014. Peace was almost achieved in 2016 at the end of the term of former
president Benigno Aquino III (Crisis Group, 2012).

The Bangsamoro deal was delayed during the term of President Rodrigo Duterte, to enact
future basic Bangsamoro Law and change the name of the Autonomous region to Bangsamoro
(Crisis Group, 2018). That delay set the stage for the fiercest conflict faced by the local military
against the MILF since World War II (Crisis Group, 2018).

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) consists of five provinces: Lanao del
Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi.

Conflicts between the military and the MILF mostly happens in Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao,
and Sulu (ACAPS, 2019), including Basilan. The most recent and devastating was the siege of
Marawi in 2017. Marawi City is the capital of Lanao del Sur.

Cause of Conflict: The desire to be autonomous and for Mindanao region to be declared a
sovereign state apart from the Philippines has been the cause of a long enduring conflict.

In 2017, ISIS joined by the local jihadist Maute group with former MILFs, invaded Marawi City.
And a 5-month siege in Marawi transpired between the military government and the said group
(ACAPS, 2019). It was the only place invaded outside of ISIS caliphate, Syria and Iraq.

Here’s the battle zone in Marawi. The heavy fighting was reported in the red zone, while many
civilians were trapped in the yellow zone.

The vast devastation by air strikes and bombings destroyed Marawi’s commercial center and
affected their local economy (ACAPS, 2019). It was estimated that it would take 5 years to
rebuild just the local infrastructures in Marawi (ACAPS, 2019).

The Marawi war displaced 400,000 people, almost half a million (ACAPS, 2019).
Two years after the conflict, 130,000 people were still living in temporary shelters and
evacuation camps unable to return to the ruined city (ACAPS, 2019). Today, 79,000 are still
displaced in evacuation centers, transition sites and their relatives’ homes (WHO, 2019).

Better shelters were built by the government in Sagonsongan, wherein more than a thousand
people live.

Health issues faced by the displaced.

According to the Department of Health (Santos, 2017), there were 3,000 cases reported of:
• Upper respiratory infections
• Diarrhea (& other water-borne diseases)
• Hypertension
• Fever
• Mental health problems (high stress level, fear, phobia, depression (PTSD), and early
signs of schizophrenia.
However, majority of the cases are not reported. Mobile health clinics were placed to provide
basic healthcare services for the people.

Current Healthcare Needs (DOH, n. d.):

• Better Shelter
• Food
• WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene)
• Medicine and Basic Healthcare
• and Mental Health Support

The needs remain basic. However, the glaring situation faced by each family is at the brink of
despair from losing loved ones, loss of home and personal possessions, loss of livelihoods, loss
of their city, loss of hope and loss of courage to face the devastation the war has left.

Bangon Marawi, which translates to Rise Up Marawi, is the government program developed for
the rehabilitation of the city with P75 to P80 billion ($1.4 to $1.6 billion) local budget. The
United Stated contributed $26.4 million, while European Union gave 850,000 euros ($968,000),
and other countries as well, Australia, Japan, China and Spain (Cabato, 2018; Santos, 2017).

Despite all these, barriers for global assistance remain apparent (Shapur, n. d.): (1) Limited
budget to supply the basic needs of the displaced and to rehabilitate the city. The extensive
damage to the city’s commercial center, infrastructures and homes will require a lot to bring it
back to its former glory. (2) Dilatory response of the local government. This is the most
common complaint of those internally displaced with lack of food, water, medicine, poor
shelter and provision to make a living. But the most common frustration is their desire to return
home and rebuild. (3) Securing peace and safety in the area. Although, much of the area were
already cleared from bombs and other explosives, the government wants to extend it to five
years to fully secure the area.
(4) Frustration and anger of the victims toward the government. The devastation that left
Marawi in ruins were once blamed to ISIS and Maute rebels, are now blamed to the local
government, and, also because of their lack of response and efficiency which makes the people
even more frustrated.
(5) Strong ideologies held by the people against the local government. Some Muslims in the
area are pro-ISIS and promote its agenda to younger generation to fight against the
government and uphold the Muslim brotherhood.
(6) Monetary offers of ISIS to those who want to join the rebel group. This creates an allure to
people who have lost everything. The upfront monetary gain is even accepted by those living in
the shelter.

ACAPS (2019) Assessment of Mindanao Conflict. Crisis severity 1.8, Impact on geographical
scope and human effects 2.4, humanitarian conditions 1.0, complexity in mitigation and
resolution 2.6, and humanitarian access to constraints 1.0.

No matter how we quantify the conflict and its current condition, only the people can truly
voice the devastation it caused them and the impact they have to live with.

Chieu Liuu and Chris Healy visited the battlegrounds of Marawi with the survivors returning to
the city for the first time. Let’s watch the short documentary film released by the South China
Morning Post.
Reference:

ACAPS. (2019). Philippines: overview.

https://www.acaps.org/country/philippines/crisis/mindanao-conflict

Crisis Group (2012). The Philippines: breakthrough in Mindanao.

https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/philippines/philippines-breakthrough-mindanao

Crisis Group (2017). Philippines: addressing Islamist militancy after the battle for Marawi.
https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/philippines/philippines-addressing-islamist-
militancy-after-battle-marawi

WHO. (2019). Responding to the remaining health needs after the Marawi conflict.
https://www.who.int/philippines/news/feature-stories/detail/responding-to-remaining-health-
needs-after-the-marawi-conflict

Santos, A. (2017). Battle for Marawi takes huge toll on public health in the Philippines. DW.
https://www.dw.com/en/battle-for-marawi-takes-huge-toll-on-public-health-in-philippines/a-
39626527

DOH. (n. d.). DOH: there is still hope for Marawi. https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/10517

Cabato, R. (2018). Remembering the Marawi crisis. CNN Philippines.

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/05/22/remembering-marawi-crisis.html

Shapur, T. (n. d.). Marawi: rebuilding from ashes to a city of faith, hope and peace. Center for
Peace and Conflict Studies. http://www.centrepeaceconflictstudies.org/wp-
content/uploads/Marawi-Rebuilding-from-ashes-to-a-city-of-faith-hope-and-peace.pdf

Liuu, C. and Healy, C. (Filmmakers). (2018). Battleground Marawi : A return to ruins for survivors
of the Philippines war on ISIS. South China Morning Post. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-
lqJURMZ7I