To recall, on May 23 at about 2p.m., media reported that heavy and sporadic firefight ensued in barangay Basak Malutlut in Marawi City between the military and about 15 armed men, later identified as the ISIS-afilliated Maute group, who allegedly ambushed the military forces.
But AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla was quick to claim that it was the military who actually initiated the pursuit operation, after Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon said that firefight will follow in many areas in that City.
The Amai Pakpak Medical Center was occupied, including the Marawi Police Station, and parts of Dansalan College; St. Mary’s Church was burned, cellular towers were targetted, civilians were held as hostages.
When reports reached President Duterte later, who was then in Russia, he declared Martial Law over Mindanao.
After more than a month, the Marawi siege is still an ongoing battle, making the citizenry anxious, but hopeful, as they continue to pray for a peaceful end in sight.
In any armed conflict, it is the civilians who face the reality of carnage after weeks of bloodshed, brutality, creeping starvation, mounting death toll.
It was confirmed by the military that the terrorists had prepared for this fight by stockpiling supplies and weapons in mosques, schools, and other civilian sites, as well as in a network of tunnels in the City, including the participation of foreign jihadis/terrorists.
It was heartbreaking to see this havoc, and butchery happening from the start, even until the end of Ramadan, up to the present.
Now, people should realize that the ISIS ideology is not about religion, as Islam is a religion of peace, much like the Judeo-Christian ideology.
But there must have been a lot of activity on the ground in Marawi City, months before the actual siege.
There had been many reports from local government units in Mindanao of the alleged presence of ISIS in their areas, but these were dismissed by the authorities as “unfounded rumors”.
Have Filipinos contemplated on how such an incident could have been averted?
As the dust of war clears, the citizens should consider actions on the ground because events do not happen spontaneously.
Time and again, there must have been some unusual occurrences to note, or persons who should have alerted the community of the questionable presence of suspicious strangers.
In any intelligence network, the lifeblood of any successful defensive campaign is the community.
The community is the first line of defense in any attempt by any terrorist groups to enter their area. This is the reason why each and every citizen is instructed to be alert and aware to report any unusual sightings in their barangays.
This was how Bohol was able to defeat the evil intent of the terrorists group who entered and intended to cause mayhem in their community.
Let us remain vigilant in the presence of a clear and imminent danger. Report to the authorities any unusual sightings in your areas. See something-say something!
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com
