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I Stand WIth Marawi

More than two months into the Marawi crisis, government troops are still employing daily airstrikes to flush out the local terrorists. The 60-day Martial law declaration which was declared by President Duterte on the same day the siege started have been extended to five months, that is, until the end of December this year. The initial declaration was upheld by the Supreme Court with a vote of 11-3-1. Eleven fully supported the declaration, three limiting it to Marawi only, and one lone dissenter, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen nullyfing the declaration as without legal grounds. The Supreme Court's decision have buttressed the Chiefs of Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police's proposal to recommend the extension of Martial Law until Marawi City is rebuilt. So, when President Duterte wrote a proposal to Congress to extend Martial LAw, it was no surprise that both houses of Congresses readily supported the Preident's proposal. 

Meanwhile, almost half millio civilians from Marawi City and neighboring towns had fled their homes to escape to safer areas. Thousands of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) are languishing in squalid evacuation centers. Many more are bursting in their families' and relatives' home with 8-10 families tightly squeezed in small houses and apartments.

As the airstrikes continues, the displaced civilians uncertainties for their future mounts not to mention how to survive daily in the evacuation centers dependent on humanitarian aid. The humanitarian crisis continues. Worst, the Martial law declaration had led to a witch-hunting by the State authorities as they intensify their war on terrorism with Muslims the easy suspects.

Now, more than ever, the people of Marawi need our solidarity. We need to reach out in compassion and solidarity and help voice out the human rights violations they suffered, yet, too afraid to speak out. In this time where our democratic rights are threatened with Martial Law and the institutions that we pinned our hopes to protect us failed to do so, it is incumbent upon us to be vigilant and look out for each other.

I stand with Marawi.
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