Marawi women are going

home
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:30 AM July 15, 2017

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITYEnough is enough! Come what may, theyre going back
to Marawi City on July 24, vowed a group of women displaced by the fighting between
government security forces and Islamic militants.

Any right-minded Maranao and (internally displaced person) should go if only to show
the world that we are coming home. We have been suffering in evacuation centers, Bai
Sittie Marohomsar said on Thursday night, during a debriefing of a group of women in
a hotel here.

The women plan to return on the day that President Duterte would be delivering his
second State of the Nation Address.
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But Marawi Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra warned the group about the still ongoing
offensives and the risk to peoples lives in the area.

I am hoping they will not (go back to Marawi) without clearance from the military and
local government units, he said.

The group, however, appeared determined to go. We will go home. Try to tell the
others. We are not going to kill anyone we are not going to fight with the
government. We cannot do that because they can drop bombs on us, added
Marohomsar, 52.
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Fearful
Perhaps the Filipino people might just have the heart to tell President Duterte that
enough is enough, Marohomsar said. Constantly, she added, we are getting insults
from the President who is supposed to be our very own.

Marohomsar said they were also worried that the President would extend martial law in
the city, which would mark its second month on July 23.

If you extend (it), what will happen to us? We are fearful of the future facing us, she
said.

More than 400,000 people have been displaced since violence erupted in Marawi City
on May 23.
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Nearly 40,000 remain in cramped and unsanitary emergency shelters set up in

community halls, gymnasiums and Islamic schools.

According to Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial, at least 24 people have died from
dehydration, pneumonia and other illnesses in the centers.

Anisah Saripada, 47, a resident of Lilod, Marawi City, said she will join the July 24
homecoming.

Its painful for me. I dont know if we still have a home when we go back. Let us not
discuss whats the cause here. Lets just go back, she said. JEOFFREY MAITEM,
INQUIRER MINDANAO

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