Lawless elements Dawla Islamia /ISIS threats causes massive displacement of the residents of Marogong, Lanao del Sur

 

Map of Lanao del Sur

 BY JUN ENRIQUEZ

 ILIGAN City – On Thursday afternoon (May 25, 2023), a group of armed men, allegedly members of the ISIS/ DAWLA ISLAMIA were apprehended by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Commander “DELTA” at the periphery of his camp, JABBAL NUR situated at Brgy. Pabrica, Marogong, Lanao del Sur. Initially, there were six suspected members but the two were cleared and released. Later on, Friday, May 26, 2023, the suspects were turned over to the military, 32^nd Infantry Battalion (IB), Philippine Army (PA). 

Apprehended suspects of DI/ISIS armed group with their weapons 

The situation worsened when the commander of the group, ABU ZAKARIA, issued a statement on Friday afternoon (May 26, 2023) through the two-way radio that they will definitely retaliate and urge the civilian to evacuate the place for their own safety. This caused panic among the residents resulted to the evacuation of approximately  90% of the constituents. According to the MDRRMO of Marogong municipality, estimated a total of 3,500 households (21,000 individuals) evacuated to the different nearby municipalities; Malabang, Picong, Balabagan, Lumbaca Unayan, Bayang and Binidayan, among other municipalities.

The alleged lawless elements of Dawla Islamia/ISIS armed group threatened the local residents of Marogong, Lanao del Sur to escalate conflict due to the apprehension of the four suspected members of the lawless armed group, by the MILF led by Commander “Delta” with the confiscation of firearms and improvised explosive devised (IEDs) from the suspects. 

Confiscated weapons

After several consultations and dialogues conducted, commander Delta decided to turn over the apprehended individuals to the 32^nd Infantry Battalion (IB), Philippine Army (PA), stationed at barangay Matling, Malabang, Lanao Del Sur. At around 3:00 P.M. on May 26, an alleged sightings of heavily armed men surrounded the Poblacion area of Marogong caused tensions and panic among the residents. At around 7:00 P.M., residents of barangay Poblacion Proper, Marogong East, Balut and Bolawanun started to evacuate and boarded their vehicles to leave their respective residences seeking for their safety. At around 7:30PM, the alleged leader and commander of the terrorist group, ABU ZAKARIA,  announced thru the two-way radio (local frequency) threatening for retaliation and sent warning to the local populace to leave their houses to avoid getting caught in the crossfire should chaos begins. Majority of the local business store owners at the public market places pulled out their merchandise/goods which worries the residents who did not evacuated where to get their daily basic needs.

In a follow-up reports stated that large number of residents of the municipality of Marogong, Lanao del Sur evacuated to the nearest towns of Binidayan, Tubaran, Bayang, Masiu, Malabang, Balabagan, Calanogas, Bacolod-kalawi, Lumbatan and Marawi City.

The Municipal Government of Binidayan actively acted through the MDRRMO, MSWO, PNP, Military and other concern government agencies to closely coordinating with the BDRRMC to gather data and update the evacuees in their respective barangay. The Local government unit (LGU) of Binidayan made initiatives to provide food assistance to the evacuees.

On the following day, PBGEN ALLAN C NOBLEZA, Regional Director (RD), Provincial Regional Office (PRO) Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BAR), personally visited the Marogong Municipality, Lanao Del Sur to ensure and monitor the peace and security of the area and conducted a consultative meeting with the Local Government Unit, headed by Hon. Haroun T Marohom, Vice Mayor, Municipality of Marogong. "Kami po ay nandito upang unang-una, tugunan ang pangangailangan pagdating sa seguridad ng bayan ng Marogong” stated Nobleza. The National Government, especially the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is very much concern about the security and safety of the people of Marogong, considering that the threat posed by DI-MG in this municipality is very eminent because of the pronouncement through the social media of the leader of DI-MG. We have deployed additional troops to oversee the peace and order in the area", said PBGEN Nobleza. 

PBGEN Allan C Nobleza delivered a message during a visit in Marogong

In the initial identified five municipalities hosted the Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Marogong town, are the municipalities of Binidayan with 109 affected families comprised 557 individuals; Malabang has 106 affected families at 531 individuals; Tubaran affected families has 117 affected families at 586 individuals; Sultan Domalondong has 15 affected families at 74 individuals; Balabagan has 17 affected families at 86 individuals; A total affected families are numbering to 364 at 834 individuals.

The Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi), continuously monitoring of the incident through the concerned government agencies and coordinated with the 32 IB regarding the incident. The provincial government of Lanao del Sur through the Provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) is closely coordinating with the Local DRRMOs to gather data and updates on the situation in the areas of concerned. The authorities of the Municipality of Marogong are in alert status and closely coordinating with regional and local government offices and security sector to monitor the status of the IDPs. There were No reported cases of casualties, Injured or Missing during the incident in Marogong.

Latest information gathered, just the other night of May 28, 2023, another message from a certain commander ABU ZACARIA, of the alleged lawless armed group, was relayed and stated that the residents may return to their respected homes as he pledged not to involve the civilians and implying that there will be no war/battle happening soon. According to the Brgy. Chairman ALCAIR HALIM DIATOR of Brgy. Proper, 10 percent of the evacuees have already returned. More IDPs are expected to return in their residences at Marogong starting this day and the following days to come. (Jun Enriquez, is a Digital-Mobile Journalist; Sources: PDRRMO, MDRRMOs; BARMM DRRMO; PNP BAR; MERN)

 

 

Documentary Report: Important significance of two international day celebrations in the first week of May

 

PM rallyists in Iligan City calling the government for the Php 100 wage hike to cover inflation.

 

MY POINT OF VIEW 

BY JUN ENRIQUEZ, Digital-Mobile Journalist 

My interest of writing this article is about the two international celebrations in first week of May, to mention the International Labor day on first day and World Press Freedom day on 3^rd day. 

It seems that International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues and concerns, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations (UN), but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. 

the First celebration, on May 1, 2023, it was the 137th International Labor day celebrations. Historically, Labor Day initially originated in the United States in remembering the 1886 countrywide strike for an eight-hour work day, which started on that day and culminated in the Haymarket affair in Chicago. In 1889 an international federation of socialist groups and trade unions designated May 1 as a day in support of workers, in commemoration of the Haymarket riot in Chicago in 1886. The Haymarket affair remembering the tragic event where labor protests turned-out into violence after a bomb was thrown at the police, killing seven officials and 4 others. Significance of the celebration is that people worldwide observe the day by conducting marches and rallies, to recognize the movement but also to appreciate the labor force and try to improve its working conditions

FDLO workers rallyist

The theme of the International Labor Organization (ILO) for 2023 celebrations was “Stop the pandemic: Safety and health at work can save lives.”

In Iligan City, the active and retired workers in Iligan City enjoined to commemorate the celebration spearheaded by the Federation of democratic labor organization (FDLO). The Partido Manggagawa (PM), a labor political party for the workers have participated the event not only in Iligan city but also the entirety of the country. 

Mayor Frederick Siao

Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao was invited as the keynote speaker during the celebration. Siao said that the local government of Iligan city will help to strengthen the protection of the workers to pass a local legislation to be participated by the tripartite council, the labor, management and the government. The statement of Mayor Siao was supported by Iligan City councilor Atty. Providencio “Bong” Abragan, Jr..

Atty. Providencio Abragan, Jr.

The local theme for the celebration emphasized, "Mamumuo naghiusa palig-onon ang han-ay ug hiniusang mobarug aron malingkawas gikan sa nagka-grabing krisis." (Workers in unity will strengthen its ranks and stand to free from severe crisis). Atty. Leonilo Ratilla, National Executive Vice President of FDLO, said that the FDLO was a federation of organized labor fighting for the protection and security of tenure for the workers through the right to collective bargaining agreement (CBA) by legitimate unions in the industries who are members of the federation, advancing the right to-self organization as mandated under the Philippine constitution and labor code.

On the other hand, the retired workers are calling for the increase of their SSS pensions, to compensate the lost peso purchasing power during inflation. The SSS pensioners are hoping that their demands will be heard by the government because most of the retired workers are suffering from illnesses, and their pensions will be used intended mostly for medicine maintenance and hospitalization.  

For the national theme says, "Sahod, Trabaho, Karapatan" (Wages, Works and Rights) was the theme for nationwide protest calling for the Php 100 minimum wage hike to recover the lost purchasing power of workers, spearheaded by the Partido Manggagawa (PM) nationwide. 

PM Chairman Rene Magtubo

“We endured the heat of marching under the sun because the burning issue of low wages and high prices is a priority concern. Chi-cha not cha-cha,” declared Rene Magtubo, national chair of the militant group PM and a city councilor in Marikina, in reference to an urgent response to the economic crisis instead of politicians tinkering with charter change. 

Jane Bernardo, PM Mindanao

Jane Bernardo of PM Mindanao, reiterated the theme during the rally in Iligan City, said is to increase the wages at Php 100 wage hike and lower the prices of the commodities, to compensate inflation and recover from crisis, and respect the rights of the workers.

 For the International theme says, "A safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work," emphasizes the importance of workplace safety and health as essential principles and rights for workers.

The second international celebration, was about the World Press freedom day. It has been 30 years ago that World Press freedom day was commemorated globally since it was proclaimed  in May 3, 1993, aimed towards achieving a free press and freedom of expression. The rise of digital technologies proliferate the independent media in many countries around the world to enable the free flow of information, countering disinformation and misinformation online and offline proliferate with serious impact on the institutions underpinning supports for democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Global crises situation of conflicts and violence is evident at present times, persistent on socio-economic inequalities driving migration, environmental crises and challenges to the health and well-being of the people around the world.

It is exactly to counter these critical situations and threats, that press freedom, safety of journalists and access to information take center stage. The right to freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a prerequisite and a driver to the enjoyment of all other human rights. This year’s Special 30^th Anniversary celebration of the World Press freedom day is, therefore, a call to recentering press freedom, as well as independent, pluralistic and diverse media, as key to enjoy all other human rights.

The World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference. Since then, 3^rd of May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, 1991, is promoting the independence of the press and pluralism in media is celebrated worldwide, then it became as World Press Freedom Day.

The World press freedom day celebration, acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. It is an opportunity to, celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom; assess the state of press freedom throughout the world; defend the media from attacks on their independence; and pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

As the United Nations agency with a specific mandate to promote “the free flow of ideas by word and image”, UNESCO works to foster free, independent and pluralistic media in print, broadcast and online. Media development in this mode enhances freedom of expression, and it contributes to peace, sustainability, poverty eradication and respect human rights. 

In my point of view, this two international celebrations will educate us and the governments globally for the protection of our rights as workers and journalists in a safe and secured environment.

(The writer, Jun Enriquez, is the President of Manggagawang Media ng Mindanao-MMM, and a Peace advocate; source: UN, ILO websites, etc.)