CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Families occupying the military reservations in Lanao del Sur should be granted land titles as part of the government’s effort to counter extremism, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday (September 6).
Speaking during a two-day dialogue with ulamas and multi-sectoral groups here, Lorenzana said he would recommend the move to President Rodrigo Duterte through a presidential proclamation.
Giving the land to existing settlers will enable them to develop the property as they wish, Lorenzana pointed out, or even use them to obtain loan to start a business.
Lorenzana said the resulting economic benefits would blunt the rise of extremism in Lanao del Sur, which he said had been going on in the province and neighboring areas since 2013.
The creeping extremism in the Lanao areas, the Defense chief said, had given rise to the Maute terrorist group that culminated to the Marawi City siege on May 24.
The ulamas and multi-sectoral groups, numbering around 400, met with Lorenzana, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Armm) Gov. Mujiv Hataman, Lanao del Sur Vice Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. and Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra to map out plans for the return of displaced Marawi residents.
Adiong said he is anticipating that many people will have mixed emotions during their return, including frustrations and anger upon seeing their homes battered and destroyed.
“This is where the ulamas will come in. They will ensure that no seeds of extremism will come out. They will make the people calm down and understand,” Adiong said.
Gandamra said the local government has already made preparations for the return of the residents, but that he was worried that a stampede may occur. (PNA/Mark D. Francisco)
