As a mother, she was worried because they do not have money to buy personal stuff like
underwears and the needs of her children. She was worried that right after the interview they
will leave together with Cosnia to Iligan City to appeal to the Mayor of Marawi who is staying in
Iligan to release their salary and help them find work to support their families.
COSNIA B. DISIMBAN
A mother of three children whose husband died in 2015. She was left to tend to her
family where she works as ‘Traffic Enforcer’ in Marawi City. On May 24, 2017, upon hearing of
the attack, she decided to leave her home with her children due to fear of the ISIS. She left her
work to be with her family and bring them to safety. She tried asking for their salary but will not
be released due to reason that they are not really working as such.
She reported that she was not able to take her other son ‘Nouman Alawi’ (son from
another man) who was left in their home at West Marinaut because Nouman cannot walk. His
foot was injured few days before the attack in Marawi. Since then, they do not have information
of whether he was saved or was able to leave Marawi City. She tried reporting the same but no
report or news has reached her as to his son’s whereabouts.
STORY OF LGBTIs and LGBT parents
Cosnia and Mangoda
LGBT is a taboo and is prohibited both under Islam and their culture. Women at a tender
age are already arranged to marry a male. But there is one LGBT partner Mila Mangoda and
Cosnia Disimban that were interviewed. It can be observed that both of them got married first
and bore children. Both of their husband died already and just recently they fell in love with
each other two days before Valentines day this year. Mila Mangoda had two (2) children from
her deceased husband and was left to take care of them since then. Mila shared and even showed
her former girlfriend who she had relationship with prior to Cosnia. Mila Mangoda on the other
hand have three (3) children, two (2) from her deceased husband and one (1) from another man.
When asked about their status, as solo parents, Mila told shared that Cosnia treated her children
as their own and the same with Cosnia’s children Mila also treated them as hers. When asked
who their partners are, Mila said that her partner and the person she loved is Cosnia. Mila
shared that they do not want other people to know or talk about their relationship since it is a
‘taboo’ in their community and gossips can easily spread, especially that they are in the
evacuation center. The conflict forced Mila to temporarily send her children to her aunt in
Bolondo until such time that they will have a home to stay in Marawi. Both Mila and Cosnia
work as ‘Traffic Enforcer’ in Marawi City, but because of the conflict they were forced to leave
work to protect their children. Both of them tried to negotiate with the Mayor of Marawi for
their unpaid salary since they need to have money to also buy things that they also need which is
not provided in the EC. In fact, right after the interview they are planning to talk with the Mayor
to help them find job to be able to support the needs of their family.
Michael, LGBTI from Marawi City
Michael is 26 years old, identifies as a member of the LGBTI community. Michael shared
that before the conflict, she used to work in one of the parlors in Campo Ranao. He said she’s
“girl and girl” and that she then sported a very long hair. She then shared that when the conflict
happened and with the influx of IDPs she decided to have her hair cut – a normal boy cut so as
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