Marawi Seige

Sen. Bam eyes compensation for owners of properties destroyed in Marawi siege

A senator has submitted a measure seeking to provide monetary compensation to Marawi City residents who lost their homes and other private properties to the infamous siege that happened one year ago today (May 23) and lasted for five months.

In his Senate Bill No. 1816, Senator Bam Aquino said the monetary compensation will provide Marawi residents with means to immediately recover from the damage and destruction to their homes and private property caused by the Marawi siege perpetrated by the ISIS-inspired Maute group.

“The Marawi crisis left thousands of Marawi residents without shelter, jobs and other means of livelihood,” said Sen. Bam, a member of the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation.

“Kailangan nila ng agarang tulong mula sa pamahalaan upang sila’y makabangon at makabalik sa normal na pamumuhay,” added Sen. Bam.

On May 23, 2017, the ISIS-inspired Maute Group attacked Marawi City, destroying public infrastructure, private properties and holding hundreds of civilian hostage.

The attack displaced thousands of Marawi residents from their homes and forced them to seek shelter in evacuation centers or live with their relatives in nearby cities. The attack also destroyed business establishments that served as source of income, livelihood and employment for many Marawi residents.

After five months of fighting, government forces successfully regained control of the city and killed known international terrorist Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

However, the intensified conflict left Marawi City in shambles, destroying around P20 billion worth of properties. Earlier, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) estimated that it will cost around P51.7 billion to rebuild Marawi City.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong is the principal author of this bill in the House of Representatives.

On February 26, 2018, Sen. Bam filed Senate Resolution No. 661 directing the Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation to conduct a probe into the government’s moral and ethical obligation to provide financial assistance and support to victims of the siege. However, Sen. Bam’s resolution was not acted upon.

Sen. Bam on Sec. Aguirre’s allegations on Marawi meeting

Is fake news enough for the head of our country’s Department of Justice to make these outrageous allegations?

To be clear, there was never any meeting among the individuals mentioned by Sec. Aguirre.

 On May 2, 2017, I was the PUP commencement speaker at the PICC and attended the session at the Philippine Senate.

My trip to Marawi was on May 19, 2017 to launch the first Negosyo Center in the ARMM and I had with me an AFP escort throughout my trip, which can easily be verified through the AFP.

Vice Gov. Bombit Adiong, B/Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista and Gen. Nixon Fortes were also with me during the event.

 DTI Sec. Mon Lopez has already publicly clarified and confirmed that I was in Marawi City for the NegosyoCenter launch.

These are easily verifiable for anyone who cares to find the truth.

 It would be prudent for Sec. Aguirre to clarify dates, seek evidence and request for official statements from legitimate government agencies before he makes yet another false accusation.

 This tragedy could have been an opportunity to unite the Philippines against a common enemy.

 Instead, it’s being used to further political interests and further divide our country.

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