(FILE PHOTO/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Wednesday expressed interest in assisting the rehabilitation of the war-torn Marawi City soon after the government military would declare the area secured from the presence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-linked Maute Group.
In a statement, MILF implementing peace panel chair Mohagher Iqbal said: “We are looking at a role that the MILF can play, a modest role.”
“The MILF is a modest organization so we can only share something based on our capability,” Iqbal added.
He said they will still discuss with their counterparts in the government how they will go about the assistance in the rehabilitation.
But Iqbal stressed that the government has “the bigger responsibility in helping and rebuilding the City of Marawi.”
As of September 11, the crisis in Marawi has already posted a death toll of 45 civilians, 145 government forces and 655 suspected Maute Group militants.
The MILF said the peace corridor, which it helped establish with the government, remains active to this day.
During the early stage of the conflict, the peace corridor allowed for the rescue of trapped civilians inside Marawi City.
The corridor was also used to deliver relief services for the displaced residents.(davaotoday.com)
