PHL hasn't won Marawi conflict until rehab, counter-terror measures in place —expert

From GMA News Online (Mar 9): PHL hasn't won Marawi conflict until rehab, counter-terror measures in place —expert

The government's response to the brunt of extremism inflicted by Islamic State-affiliated terror groups in Mindanao will determine who truly won the conflict in Marawi, according to a leading security analyst.

In a forum on Thursday, Steven Rood said the government needs to step up counter-terrorism and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi.

Formerly the country representative for the Asia Foundation, an international non-profit research organization, Rood

"Certainly, the events in Marawi excited and encouraged Islamic State adherence because, look, they were able to hold off the united might of the Philippine military and the Americans and their guard dogs, the Australians. This never happened in Southeast Asia before," said Rood, who has studied the situation in Marawi and authored works on Filipino politics in Mindanao touching on emerging terror threats.

He recalled the aftermath of a deadly battle between the government and a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga City in 2013.

"But if the situation in Marawi is the same three years from now as Zamboanga City was three years in 2016, then clearly, the Islamic State would have won," he said.

Citing the latest findings of the Asia Foundation, Rood said distrust in the government was found to be among "push factors" fueling extremism in Mindanao. "Young and idealistic" people in Mindanao's urban areas as well as its islands are seen as targets for recruitment. Problems hounding Marawi's reconstruction could possibly lead affected residents to "discontent," he added.

Among these was a "total uncertainty" with regard to land ownership. Rood cited information from the Land Management Bureau in revealing there were "overlapping" claims on 7,000 parcels of land.

"There are 11,000 buildings that were destroyed... and 3,000 of therm are called 'informal,' which presumably means that whoever owned them doesn't get to go back," Rood sad.

The foundation also pointed to a rediscovered 1953 presidential decree declaring 6000 hectares of Marawi City and neighboring towns a military reservation, which the Armed Forces has vowed not to claim.

From his own experience, Rood quoted sultans and leaders of communities and local government units as saying they were "not consulted" in the government's plans for a "modern" Marawi.

"The worst thing you can do to an angry public is keep them in the dark and that's what's happening," he said.

The ongoing rehabilitation is led by Task Force Bangon Marawi. Over 400,000 Maranaos were displaced in the siege.

Marawi City was liberated last October following the deaths of terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf and Omar Maute of the Maute group.

Martial law remains up over Mindanao after President Rodrigo Duterte and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) pleaded for more time to quell remaining terrorist movements in the region.

Suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao was extended until December 31, 2018.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/645988/no-winner-in-marawi-conflict-until-rehab-counter-terror-measures-in-place-expert/story/