CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Marawi City siege by terrorist elements should be a wake-up call not just for its residents, but all Filipinos, said the head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
“Marawi is a big awakening for everyone. We cannot therefore take things for granted,” OPAAP chief Jesus Dureza, who spoke to local reporters over the weekend. “If it can happen in Marawi, it can happen in your own barangay.”
Dureza underscored the importance of raising awareness on terrorism and its underlying causes, adding that the public “must realize that terrorism can strike anywhere, and for that they should be aware of what’s happening in their communities at all times.”
He said civilians can no longer rely solely on the law enforcement for their security, but must take certain initiatives to ensure that terroristic activities will not occur in their locality.
“Security should not be left entirely to the military and police, it is equally the obligation of every ordinary citizen to contribute,” he added.
Dureza said people must learn from what happened in Marawi, which he said was almost decimated after months of intense fighting between the military and extremists with links to the Islamic State.
According to the military, more than 800 militants, 87 civilians, and 163 government soldiers have already been killed during the conflict that started on May 23.
Dureza said the reconstruction of Marawi is not only focused on the physical aspect but also on the social fronts.
“Rebuilding is not simply rebuilding structures. The most difficult part is social healing, rebuilding broken social relationships,” Dureza said. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)
