MANILA – Malacañang on Friday said it remained grateful that a “sizeable majority” of Marawi residents still trust President Rodrigo Duterte, amid the release of a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing eight in ten Marawi residents have felt their lives are ‘worse now’ than before the armed conflict between the ISIS-inspired Maute group and government troops.
“This sentiment, which is lower compared to other areas, is understandable, given that Marawi City has been the center of the Maute rebellion, which resulted in its destruction and displacement of its residents, as cited by 32% of Marawi City respondents,” Roque said in a press statement.
“Nevertheless, it is important to note that even after the Marawi siege, majority continues to put its trust in the President,” Roque said.
Roque said the government “must have a holistic view” of the April 12-15 SWS survey since it found that 83 percent of respondents residing in Lanao del Sur have said Duterte has concerns for Muslims.
The survey also showed 83 percent residing in Maguindanao agreed that Duterte, the first president from Mindanao, will be able to uplift the lives of the Muslim people.
He also noted that 78 percent acknowledged the “good things done by the government,” including relief operations as well as shelter and financial aid for evacuees.
“We are indeed grateful that a sizeable majority of Marawi City respondents believes that our rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts are going in the right track,” he added.
In May 2017, the ISIS-inspired Maute rebels attempted a takeover in Marawi City, prompting Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao.
The Marawi conflict ended in October 2017 but the iron rule, with approval from Congress, has been extended until December this year.
Due to massive destruction brought by five-month war, Duterte had created Task Force Bangon Marawi to facilitate the rehabilitation and reconstruction works particularly in the most affected area or ground zero of the war-torn city. (PNA)
