Tales from Marawi, the burning city

It all began on May 23, when the Philippine military received information that Isnilon Hapilon, leader of the Abu Sayyaf group and the “emir” of Southeast Asia as appointed by the Islamic State, was in Marawi, one of the largest cities on the island of Mindanao. He was there to meet members of the Maute group, which has pledged allegiance to the IS. A massive gunfight erupted with Maute militants attacking several prominent buildings in the city and taking hostages. With the violence spiralling out of control, President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law. The “battle of Marawi” has already led to the death of more than 50 civilians and displacement of 6,00,000 people.

Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, is not new to terrorist attacks. The Abu Sayyaf group has been operating on the island since the early 1990s, seeking an independent state for Muslims, who make up around 20% of Mindanao’s population. “Some areas of Mindanao are very poor, which is probably why some people have resorted to extremist activities and drug trade,” said one resident of Iligan, a city about 38 km from Marawi. In Iligan itself, people have always been wary because there have been incidents of kidnapping for ransom, and most victims are brought to Marawi, or kidnappers are from Marawi, the resident said, referring to the mainly Muslim city of 2,00,000 people. “But generally, there is an understanding between Muslims and Christians in Mindanao.”

Unlike in the past, the ongoing crisis in Marawi has changed things for the worse. This time, the difference is that the IS is trying to expand influence on the island through local Islamist groups. The battle is draining the city in terms of economic resources, and more importantly, the mental and physical health of its people. Today, Marawi bears the look of a war zone, say people who fled. There is a severe shortage of food, water, and other essential supplies. Hundreds of people are still trapped in the siege with very few having access to electricity and running water.

Iligan is trying to provide sustenance to the families arriving from Marawi. “The people of Marawi are obviously struggling to have a normal life,” said another resident, who also did not want to be identified for security reasons. The refugees from Marawi are accommodated in open-area sports centres in Iligan and are left to sleep on mats on the floor. There are volunteers to help them, but their situation is far from normal and there is no assurance that they can go back to Marawi anytime soon as the war is still going on, said the resident. Residents who have relatives or sufficient savings have moved to Iligan and other neighbouring cities, like Cagayan de Oro. Several others are still stuck. “Marawi is currently burned to the ground. It will take years for them to rebuild their lives.”

Uncertain times

Interestingly, while the world might be debating whether the martial law is doing any good, many people in Mindanao find refuge in it. “Even the residents of Iligan feel safer with the military around day and night. Slowly but steadily people are able to do business,” said one respondent. “Everybody I know is worried about what will happen if the martial law is lifted and the military leaves… If Marawi is today, Iligan could be tomorrow.”

The U.S. is now providing “non-combat assistance”. But along with political support, what the local government urgently needs is a rehabilitation plan. As one Iligan resident put it: “Officials have to consider the sentiments of all Iligan locals, some of whom also find these evacuees as part of the problem.”