We are concerned the establishment of another military camp, in addition to the 103rd Brigade, which is located in the very heart of Marawi City, could stir the historical animosity between the Moros and the rest of the Filipino people.
DUBAI: The Maranao Community in the UAE has requested President Duterte to reconsider building a new military camp in Marawi City, saying such could create a divide between the Moros and the Filipinos.
“We are concerned the establishment of another military camp, in addition to the 103rd Brigade, which is located in the very heart of Marawi City could stir the historical animosity between the Moros and the rest of the Filipino people,” the group said in a statement addressed to the president and a copy of which was obtained by The Filipino Times.
“Further, and with due respect, this is an affront to the hereditary rights of the Maranaos who valiantly fought to preserve not only their land and property rights but also their religious identity and aspirations,” the statement also read.
Duterte attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the new military camp at Barangay Kapantaran, Marawi City on January 30, 2018.
In a phone interview, Shaharullah ‘Watariq’ Ali Tahir, president of the Maranao Community in the UAE, said they were hopeful the president would read and respond favorably to their open letter. “Sana, makinig siya (President Duterte) sa amin. Kung ito ang paraan na naisip ng military commanders para sa Marawi na kanilang sinabi sa presidente, – kaming mga Maranao ay iisa ang saloobin nung malaman namin na may itatayong bagong kampo. Affected ang buong province ng Lanao.”
While the residents do support the cause to suppress terrorism and lawlessness, Yusoph Hadji Acmad, vice president of Maranao Community in the UAE, said there are already a lot of camps within their area and that adding one in the heart of Marawi city might add problems.
“Di po talaga solusyon na ilagay yung military camp duon mismo sa heart of Marawi dahil kokonti na yung area ng city. Bukod pa rito, marami nang camps sa Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.” said Acmad.
Main picture: Rappler photo
