The case of Jamal was referred to the CHR IDP Monitoring by the Camp Manager
of Saguiaran in order to facilitate their request for assistance from the LGU, DILG, DSWD
and other concerned government agencies in finding his parents so that he can be
reunited with them soon. Here is the story of Jamal:
Jamal Ibrahim, 14 years old, is a resident of Brgy. Raya Madaya, Marawi
City who works as a tricycle driver. Jamal was separated from his parents
because on the morning of May 23, 2017, he was hired to transport a
passenger to Wato Balindong, Lanao del Sur. By the time he returned
home, his parents and siblings had already left to protect themselves from
the warring parties.
He tried asking for their whereabouts but no one could tell him. In a nearby
area in Brgy. Saduc, Marawi City he met some military personnel aboard
an armoured vehicle. The said military men rescued him and brought him
to the Provincial Capitol of Lanao del Sur where he stayed for ten (10) days.
After which, he was brought to the Evacuation Center in Saguiaran, Lanao
del Sur where he is staying until now. He is under the care of his foster
parents.
Jamal Ibrahim was in the state of stress and trauma when he was
interviewed because he has not yet seen his family since the start of the
siege in Marawi City. He was not able to mention the names of his parents,
and the interviewer did not try to ask again as he was already crying by the
end of the interview. The local social worker instead provided us with the
names of identified relatives of Jamal in Brgy. Renaber, Tugaya LDS.
The case of Jamal was referred by the CHR IDP Monitoring group to the
Management of the Dead and Mission Unit of the National Emergency and Operations
Center – Mindanao.
Support from the Local Government
In Balo-I it was evident that the strong support extended by the Local Government
Unit, specifically the Chairman of the Barangay, alleviates the daily hardship that is being
faced by the IDPs in the evacuation center. Children and youth who were interviewed have
nothing but good words for their Barangay Leader, “Proud kami sa Chairman (Sir Hadji
Jamil Putongan) dito, ang bait-bait talaga. Halimbawa, pag may dumating na relief
supply, pag may nagkasakit dito sariling pera niya ang ginagamit. Kaya nga ung ibang
bakwit sa Balo-i gusto mag-transfer kasi maganda talaga ung Chairman dito. Always
supportive sa mga evacuees.
Messages from the Children of Marawi
“Sana po makauwi kami at sana mawala na yong bakbakan sa Marawi tolongan ninyo
po kaming lahat.”
- Saheda, 10 years old
“Gusto ko na pong umuwi sa Marawi kasi misnames (miss na miss) ko na po ang bahay
namin. At gusto ko na pong mag-aral kaso wala akong damit at gamit para sa
paaralan. Sana makahuwi na kami ng madali kasi ung mga bata dito sa saguiran ay
masasama. At sana bigyan kami ng damit pang paaralan at gamit at sana hindi nasira
ang bahay naming at sana makauwi kaming lahat.
Thank you to all. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.”
- Camarodin P. Riya, 14 yrs old
“Sana po itigil na itong kaguluhan sa Marawi para makapag-aral po kami. Dito po
lahat po wala kaming mga gamit para sa pag-aaral saka po hindi din po kami
72
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