PH Navy leads relief operation in Tamparan, LDS

By Jun Enriquez

Evacuees waiting for relief distribution at Tamparan Municipal Hall.

Marawi City - There are at least 1,000 families evacuated in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur as a result of the Marawi crisis. Tamparan is one of the municipalities of Lanao del Sur that can be found in the eastern part of the coastal area of the Lake Lanao. At times like the Marawi Crisis, Tamparan is very difficult to access passing at the heart of the city because of the continuous military offensive against the local terrorists. It is more convenient to pass in the eastern part of Marawi City rather than in the west that will double the travel time over the eastern road. 

Tamparan in land passing the route in Bubong Lumbac in the northern part of Marawi going to the eastern part via Kapai, Lanao del Sur, will take 2 hours from Marawi City. Another route was in the waters of Lake Lanao via speed boat from Marantao in the west cross the lake going to Tamparan will take 30 minutes.  Marantao is the next town of Marawi City in the western part of the Lake. The volunteers preferred to ride speed boat which is faster and safer. All these routes were being traversed by the volunteers and security personnel in going to Tamparan. The Philippine Navy and the Philippine Marines are stationed in MSU complex, Marawi City, the former is the mother unit of the latter.

Far smoke after the explosion at ground zero in Marawi City

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) still on its way on clearing operations with continuous air strikes headed towards in the eastern part of Marawi City against the Maute group joined forces with other local terrorist group allegedly allied with foreign terrorists. The continuous military operation is confined in one square kilometer with sporadic air strikes and ground assaults that sooner or later Marawi crisis will be ended.     

Relief distribution at the gym.

The relief operation in Tamparan on August 16, 2017 was conducted by the Naval Task Group Marawi composed of the Civil Military Officer (CMO) of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command headed by Ens. Roel E. Vino Philippine Navy (PN); the 623^rd Squadron Philippine Navy Reserve command headed by Ens. Paisal Mawi PN (Res); the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) headed by Lt. Senior Grade Queen Michelle Duran PN; Civil Military Officer (CMO) of the 1^st Marine Brigade, Philippine Marines headed by Major Jose C. Arjona; and Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) headed by Police Inspector Michelin S. Llano. There were 1,000 packs of relief goods contained food items and hygiene kits donated by the Tala Foundation chaired by Kaye Koo. Their project also include playroom for children in evacuation centers as part of psychosocial for the children victims of the Marawi crisis, with ages from 3-12 years old especially those children who did not able to enroll in school due to lack of educational facilities. The NAVSOG and PNP SAF women are the main partners in the implementation of the playrooms for children to act as teachers.

Ens. Vino (4th from right), (2nd from left) Ens. Mawi PN (Res)

Tamparan was identified for relief goods distribution for the IDPs because the place is very difficult to access due to the continuing military offensive. The consultant to the office of the Mayor, Sultan Bangki D. Maomin, said that there are about 1,300 internally displaced peoples (IDPs) in Tamparan rarely received relief assistance. Private organizations usually engaged the security sector especially with the Philippine Navy as partner on disaster response to effectively serve the victims especially on hostile communities.

(2nd front right) Vice Mayor Alinor D. Tomawis

Tamparan Mayor Sittie Amina G. Disomimba represented by Vice Mayor Alinor D. Tomawis, assisted by the DSWD-ARMM help facilitated the distribution of relief goods to the IDPs. Other Navy Reserve volunteers organized and headed by Ens. Paisal Mawi PN (Res) who helped on the relief operation were PO3 Lynlanor A. Taping PN (Res), PO3 Flordeliza A. Candelanza PN (Res), PO3 Nasher A. Gandamato PN (Res), PO3 Nor Jana D. Randasan PN (Res), SN2 Nestor E. Mabini PN (Res), SN2 Ismael A. Panganting PN (Res), SN2 Abubakar Sammy M. Racmat PN (Res). Photos by Jun Enriquez