MARAWI CITY – Despite short notice, Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Jesus G. Dureza together with Government Peace Implementing Panel Chair Irene M. Santiago were able to convene several local officials of Lanao del Sur on 5 June 2017.

The meeting aims to provide a venue for key officials of Lanao to raise concerns and issues that need to be addressed immediately. The meeting was attended by the Governor Mamintal A. Adiong Jr., Mayors Majul Gandamra (Marawi City), Abdulmohaimen L. Dipatuan (Bacolod Kalawi), Benjamin M. Bagul (Balindong), Al-Rashid Macapodi (Ganassi), Ali Sumandaar (Piagapo), Vice Mayor Dagoroan A. Mindalano (Madamba), Board Members Hussein Magandin, Abdulharris Balindong Macacua, Abdulhammid Amerbitor.

Present also during the meeting are Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command, Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera, and members of the government Ad Hoc Joint Action Group.

One of the major concerns raised by Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra was the security of the abandoned houses of residents who fled the conflict area. Setting up a security team composed of selected volunteers and barangay officials was agreed during the meeting. The team is a counter part of the Barangay Security which was set up by the military. Their task is to assess each abandoned houses and heighten security and monitoring measures in the area.

Another concern raised was that the rice in the town of Tamparan was sold at Php 5,000 per 50-kilogram sack or P 100 per kilogram. Dureza conveyed this situation to Sec. Ramon Lopez – the trade and industry chief replied that he will immediately address it.

Dureza also contacted Department of Health Sec. Paulyn Ubial to assist in providing medical assistance. Ubial already gave directives to once again start the operations of Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City. Dureza also tapped Davao’s Southern Philippines Medical Center to send medical volunteers in the city.

On 23 May 2017, clash between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Maute Group erupted in Marawi City. The clash resulted to thousands of residents abandoning their homes.

On 31 May 2017, the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the setting up of a “peace corridor” spearheaded by the implementing panels of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to hasten the rescue and humanitarian operations for civilians still trapped in the conflict zone in Marawi.

The corridor was launched on 4 June 2017 and it was able to rescue 174 trapped civilians in the conflict area. Under the supervision of the GPH and MILF peace panels, the 73-kilometer Peace Corridor shall utilize existing peace mechanisms such as the Joint Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCHs) to effectively address the peace and security situation in the area. ###