ordered her to pack as they are going to flee. Tarhata shared how how she responded “sabi nya, takbo na tayo, sabi ko, paano ako aalis eh kung masakit na ing tagiliran ko at parang mangangak na ako.” A traditional birth attendant stayed with Tarhata while she was in labor, and whenever they hear gun shots, the attendant would duck and they would pray that the Isis would not head their way. After giving birth, Tarhata and her husband decided to evacuate. Her husband carried on of the younger children in a sling, while holding another child. Tarhata, wearing her bloodied malong, carried her newborn and another child who almost got lost. The family started walking towards safety and even under intermittent rain. After hours of walking in the dark they arrived in Provincial Capitol and from there was able to hitch a ride to the Buruun EC. Upon the family’s arrival in the EC, they were provided relief goods, Tarhata and her baby were also provided medical attention. While Tarhata was thankful that her family survived the ordeal, she shared that she worries also for her elderly father who is currently a home based IDP and who relies on her for relief goods. In the EC, Tarta also shared why she nick named her new born Martial Law. She explained that he was born hours after the firefight started, and around the time President Duterte declared martial law. She also shared her views on martial law saying “Natakot ako nang margining ko na mag martial law si Duterte, kasi narinig ko na sa nanay ko. Yung kwento nya po agad agad daw pong dudukutin ang mga kababaihan, yung mga pinag iinteresan daw po ng mga sundalo, yung mga babaing magaganda tapos yung mga lalaki bubugbugin daw nila. Kaya natakot talaga ako. Sabi ko sana di maulit yung kay Marcos.” (I felt afraid when I heard the president declared martial law because of the stories I heard from my mother, she said women, beautiful women were abducted by soldiers, and men were beaten up. I really felt afraid and I hoped that this Martial Law will not be like that of Marcos). On her needs in the EC, Tarhata agreed with the others on the importance of having a tent, a shelter from constant rain and drizzle that manage to get in the covered court. She also wanted work for her husband so that they would have money to buy their needs, and money to start anew. Asked of her message for the President, Tarhata and her husband admitted that they voted for Duterte. Tarhata is however very disappointed with the President, she complained how he visited Buruun EC and yet never came in to see their condition. She said she regretted voting for him, that it was a waste to vote for him, she talked about what is happening in Marawi, the bombing and the worry that nothing would be left afterwards. She rambles, “ Si Duterte di ko naman siya sinisisi pero minsan sinisisi ko siya, kasi ano nangyari sa Marawi, barilan, putukan….yung Marawi binomba na talaga nila, gusto na nilang mawala yung ano… ano pa kaya ang babalikan namin sa Marawi?.” Her last message to the President is more of a challenge, she says “And mensahe ko kay Duterte sana imulat nya yung mata nya, Makita nya kami, hindi puro story lang siya. Tingnan nya kami kung ano ang kalagayan namin sa gym… Sana makausap nya ang maor ditto kahit konting bahay lang mabigyan ang mga pamilya…. yun lang masasabi ko sa kanya, imulat nya ang mata nya sa mga mahihirap. Kasi totoo nga, mayaman po kayo, kami mahirap lang, walang mapuntahan … Oo nga pinagbintangan nya kami kugn bakit nakapasok ang Isis, eh ano naman paki-alam naming dun, mahirap lang kami….” Face with the challenges and difficulties of an internally displaced person, Tarhata draws strength from her new born and from her children. She has to be strong for them, she says. Despite all that has happened, she is also thankful that her family is safe and that her father was able to get out of Marawi. 52