Marawi rehab prioritizes clearing of buildings, residents return

PHILIPPINES

Marawi rehab prioritizes clearing of buildings, residents return

Residents will only be allowed to return to parts of Marawi that have been cleared of bombs and booby traps left
by terrorists

Pia Ranada @piaranada

Published 4:58 PM, October 17, 2017
Updated 4:51 PM, October 18, 2017


DESTRUCTION. The Marawi conict leaves many homes destroyed

MANILA, Philippines The government buckles down for the rehabilitation of Marawi City after President Rodrigo
Duterte announced the city's liberation from terrorists on Tuesday, October 17.

Duterte's declaration was meant to "pave the way for the start of a full blown recovery, rehabilitation and rebuilding
effort," said Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Major General Restituto Padilla.

Ofce of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Kristoffer Purisima, speaking before Duterte's announcement, said with
the deaths of terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, the government can now move quicker in the rst
phase of the rehabilitation.

"With yesterdays development, we shall now focus on the rehabilitation of the conict-stricken areas and plan for
the return of our IDPs to Marawi City," Purisima said during a press brieng.

The rst step is to clear buildings of bombs and other "booby traps" installed by terrorists.

The Philippine military asked for more time to clear "60 to 80" buildings of unexploded bombs.

"We must be a 100% sure that no bomb, no IED, no booby trap is left in these areas," Padilla said.

Return of evacuees

After the buildings are cleared, the government wants to facilitate the return of evacuees to their homes, if still
intact.
The Marawi City government is working with the military in identifying areas where residents can safely return to
their homes.

"A number of families will be assisted by troops in their return at the soonest possible time. They will be allowing
residents to come back by barangay clusters," said Purisima.

Barangays cleared by the military have been labeled as zones 0 to 12. Barangays that the military believes to be
still unsafe have been labeled zones 13 to 17.

Temporary shelters

The government is preparing temporary shelters for residents whose homes were destroyed or heavily damaged
by the conict.

Purisima said 26 of the 50 transitional shelters have been turned over to displaced Marawi residents.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has also completed the site development for housing in a 9.9-
hectare plot of land in Barangay Sagonsongan.

The acquisition of another area for housing is still being negotiated by the Marawi local government, he added.

The Bangon Marawi Task Force is reviewing the local rehabilitation plans prepared by the Lanao del Sur provincial
government and the Marawi City government.

Damage assessment

To aid rehabilitation, particularly in the request for funds, 5 teams led by the OCD were sent to Marawi on Monday
to conduct damage assessment in the cleared barangays.

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The teams are set to complete its report by the end of October.
"The target date of completion for the eld deployment, including data analysis, consolidation, and report
development is on 27 October," said Purisima.

The damage and losses assessment for the other barangays, those not yet cleared by the military, will begin right
after the military's clearing operations, he added.

Duterte's declaration of Marawi's liberation was made on the 148th day of the conict.

While a "small number" of terrorists remain in the city, they are no longer a serious threat to government, AFP chief
General Eduardo Ao said in a statement. Rappler.com

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Marawi City liberated Duterte

 PHILIPPINES

Marawi City liberated Duterte

(4th UPDATE) AFP Spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, however, says the war in Marawi continues.
'It will continue until armed elements are dealt with. But terrorists no longer have complete control.'

Carmela Fonbuena @carmelafonbuena

Published 2:00 PM, October 17, 2017
Updated 8:14 PM, October 17, 2017

MARAWI DESTRUCTION. President Duterte announces the liberation of Marawi City but the war continues. Rappler photo

MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) "Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare Marawi City liberated from the
terrorist inuence that marks the beginning of rehabilitation."
This was what President Rodrigo Duterte said when he made his 7th visit to Marawi City on Tuesday, October 17,
the 148th day of the war since it erupted on May 23.

He declared the liberation of Marawi City from local armed groups whose leaders pledged allegiance to the
international terrorist network Islamic State (ISIS).

AFP Spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla, however, said in an ANC interview the war in Marawi
continues. "It will continue until armed elements are dealt with. But terrorists no longer have complete control."

"There are still a few more that are left, and a few more hostages that are still in the area that remains to be a
battle area. The declaration of the President hopefully gives way to the entry and start of rehabilitation,
reconstruction, and rebuilding of Marawi from the ashes."

Padilla said the rebuilding of Marawi "needs to have the go signal of the President that's why the declaration has
been made. But the ght for the remaining armed members that are still in the area continues and based on the
ground commanders' testaments it's most likely that the President was debriefed that this is a matter of time,
that will happen soon, and that there are no complications that will be seen or are seen at the moment, this is why
the declaration has been made."

Armed Forces chief General Eduardo Ao also said on Tuesday, "Marawi City has been declared liberated. The
small number of the remaining enemy can now be considered a law enforcement matter and does not constitute
serious threat to hinder the succeeding phases of national government programs. What remains now is mopping
up operations against Maute ISIS stragglers in a small area. We can now begin the next phase which is damage
assessment which is part already of rehabilitation and reconstruction.

In a statement later given to the media, Padilla said, "The declaration was made by the President knowing the
remaining enemy force is no longer a force to reckon with. Clearing operations are already underway to nish
them off should they decide to continue the ght."

Padilla said the President thanked "all our troops for their sacrice, dedication and gallantry. He also committed
government's assistance to all evacuees and families affected by the conict. We call on every sector and our
citizenry to help and support the bigger task of rebuilding."

The small number of the remaining enemy can now be considered a law enforcement matter and does not
constitute serious threat to hinder the succeeding phases of national government programs. What remains now is
mopping up operations against Maute ISIS stragglers in a small area. We can now begin the next phase which is
damage assessment which is part already of rehabilitation and reconstruction.

A day earlier, troops killed Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute the top leaders behind the siege and rescued 17
hostages.

The military fought a erce war with the homegrown Maute Group and a faction of the Abu Sayyaf Group led by
supposed ISIS emir Hapilon.

Over a thousand people were killed in the war that dragged for nearly 5 months.
More bodies are expected to be retrieved as they clear the battle area. Local ofcials expect the death toll among
the civilians to rise.

"Ang problema ko, ang nasugatan ngayon, marami yan. I can guarantee you, sinasabi ko sa inyo. Walang iwanan,"
Duterte told soldiers gathered in Marawi. (My problem is the many wounded. I can guarantee you, I am telling you,
no one will be left behind.)

Padilla said there are still about 30 soldiers who may be wounded and may not able to move about as easily. In
addition, there are 20 more hostages who have yet to be rescued.

The war erupted last May when troops raided a safe house where Hapilon was reportedly seen. As Hapilon
escaped the raid, black-clad armed men waving ISIS black ags rushed to the streets to attack various facilities,
including a Catholic church and a hospital.

They also took hostages, only Christians initially, but later also took local Muslims. The hostages served various
roles in the battle area. They cooked for them, attended to wounded ghters, led Muslim prayers, and helped
manufacture improvised explosive devices.

Where the Marawi war began: The hunt for Isnilon Hapilon

The urban terrain proved difcult for troops used to ghting in the jungles. They fought block by block, house by
house, oor by oor, and room by room, against enemies the military believes were trained by foreign jihadists.
Heavily armed and well stocked, the armed groups were able to sustain the war for months. The military resorted
to air strikes to soften the ground before ground assaults.

Foreign allies provided support. The US and Australia, both treaty allies, ew surveillance planes to help locate the
enemies. China provided some guns.

Duterte's visits to Marawi mostly marked signicant gains in the battle area. He ew in after troops ushed out the
terrorists from key enemy positions Baloi Bridge or Mapandi Bridge, Safrullah hospital, the Islamic Center of Grand
Mosque, C&D Building or "Land Bank," and Bato Mosque.

Duterte promised he will rebuild Marawi City. Congress has allocated funds for Marawi's rebuilding in the 2018
budget that is currently being deliberated.

Vice President Leni Robredo said on Tuesday: "Ang pagwawakas po ng labanan sa Marawi ay simula pa lamang ng
mahabang proseso ng paghihilom at pagbangon muli. Hindi magiging madali ang rehabilitation at reconstruction, pati
na din ang pagbabalik ng tiwala sa isat isa. Kaya ngayon higit na kinakailangan ang ating pagtutulungan at
pagkakaisa para makamit ang tunay at pangmatagalan na kapayapaan."

(The end off hostilities in Marawi is just the beginning of the long process of healing and rising up. Rehabilitation
and reconstruction is not going to be easy, neither will regaining the trust of both sides. That is why we all the
more need the help and cooperation of everyone to achieve real and long-term peace.) with reports from
Bobby Lagsa/Rappler.com

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#BUDGETWATCH

DBM: Palace approves additional P14.5-B disaster funds for Marawi

rehab
'As far as nancing is concerned, there is no problem. But to manage expectations, this will not happen overnight,'
budget chief Benjamin Diokno says

Aika Rey @reyaika

Published 2:48 PM, November 08, 2017
Updated 2:49 PM, November 08, 2017

REHAB. Budget chief Ben Diokno says about two-thirds of Marawi City can be inhabited again but the remaining third will have to be
redesigned into a 'new city'.

MANILA, Philippines An additional P14.5 billion in disaster funds can be used for rebuilding Marawi City the
ground zero of clashes in the remaining months of 2017.

Malacaang approved the augmentation of the 2017 National Disaster Risk Reduction Funds (NDRRMF) last
October 30, budget chief Benjamin Diokno announced on Wednesday, November 8.

Before funds are released, agencies should submit supporting documents to the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM). (READ: Marawi rehab tops Duques agenda in DOH)

"Agencies are now expected to submit their respective budget execution documents to support the release of
such funds, especially for budgetary requirements for Pre-Post Conict Needs Assessment," said Diokno.

The needs-assessment should include housing, health and social welfare, business and livelihood, peace and
order, and information management and stategic communications support.

The budget augmentation will be sourced from the savings of the Department of Public Works and Highways from
2016 to 2017, amounting to P10.3 billion and P14.2 billion, respectively.

Marawi rehab

According to Diokno, around P495 million has already been spent for evacuation and relief of internally displaced
persons.

The amount was sourced from the quick response funds of the social welfare, national defense, and health
departments.

A total of P3 billion has also been released to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to cover
food assistance and hygiene, kitchen, and sleeping kits among others. The funds will also cover DSWD's cash-for-
work program, enlisting residents in rehabilitation community work, and operational support.

Some P195 million has also been released to the Department of Public Works and Highways to fund quick
response, transitional shelters, and various evacuation centers in Marawi.

Diokno said that about two-thirds of the city can be inhabited again, but the remaining third will have to be
redesigned into a "new city".

He noted, however, that expectations need to be managed.

"As far as nancing is concerned, there is no problem. But to manage expectations, this will not happen overnight,"
Diokno said.
In previous statements, the budget chief gave assurances funding is not a concern by the government, but that
technical assistance is needed.

The Marawi rehabilitation task force is led by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC),
with retired army general Eduardo del Rosario as its current head after Vice President Leni Robredo resigned.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi City liberated as the killing of top Marawi seige terrorists Abu Sayyaf
leader Isnilon Hapilon and Maute Group leader Omar Maute was conrmed by the defense department on
October 16. Rappler.com

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