Another word on the padlocking of Maranao houses in Bayanhian Village, Iligan City

"Opinions may vary from one mind to another. But here is one interesting piece that a netizen has to say on the padlocking of Maranao houses in Bayanihan Village, Sta. Elena, Iligan City. RSP is reposting it here for the information of the public. It is written by a CSO youth leader, Khuzaimah Maranda Mangate."

"Mayor Celso Regencia accommodated the IDPs from Marawi since Day 1, offered the city to the peace-loving Meranaos, provided gymnasiums to house the IDPs, offered the services of the social welfare workers in the city to accommodate the concerns and grievances of the IDPs from Marawi. 

“For months, the Iligan City government has been consistent in its mandate to assist the residents from the nearby city that has been affected by the firefight between the government forces and the ISIS-inspired local terrorist group. 

“With all the goodness that the Iligan City has been showing to the Meranaos, what have we done? Have we shown our support to the Iligan City government? Have we expressed our gratitude to the city? Have our leaders shown support to Mayor Celso Regencia and his personnel? Have our leaders paid a courtesy to the city Mayor and expressed gratefulness for the accommodation he provided for the Meranao IDPs? 

“While our local governments, both the city govt of Marawi and the provincial govt of Lanao del Sur, together with the counterparts in the national are busy preparing for a grandiose plan for Marawi rehab, they have forgotten to check on Mayor Regencia's challenges in assisting our IDPs. They have forgotten to remind themselves that while the city government of Iligan is doing its best to address the needs of the Meranao IDPs, it also has to put primordial consideration on the welfare of its constituents — the Iliganons. Mayor Regencia is mandated to take care of the Iliganons, to look after their welfare and he is mandated to put the Iliganons welfare on top of his priorities. 

“Let us open our minds, his actions maybe drastic and considered inhumane, but, we need to explore on the underpinnings in whatever that he does. It goes beyond what we literally see. It is high time, our city government (Marawi City LGU), PLGU (LDS) and the Task Force Bangon Marawi to take a look at the journey that our IDPs have gone through, whom they should be thankful for, and rethink what are they OUGHT to do to prevent another situation like this from happening.” - Source: FB Post