Push Admin

Article (news)

Marawi evacuees double town's population

Fernando Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/06/26/marawi-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Norayda Karem, 35, is rushed to a clinic after being bumped in the head following a scuffle for relief goods at the evacuation center in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur. <cite> Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>SAGUIARAN, Lanao del Sur - Amid a sea of evacuees jostling for aid, Norayda Karem felt something hard hit her head as she tried to grab one of the clothes being distributed by a donor.</p><p>Karem&#x27;s 16-year old daughter Norjena saw her mother fall down, apparently dizzy after she got hit in her head. She immediately screamed for help. </p><p>With over 400 families packed in the covered basketball court of the Saguiaran Municipal compound, there was no shortage of volunteers willing to carry Karem to the nearby clinic, where she was given first aid. </p><p>The problem here is not the shortage of people willing to help, but the shortage of relief goods for the evacuees.</p><p>This is the temporary home for evacuees who escaped the fighting in Marawi City. There are around 3,600 other families scattered around Saguiaran, bringing the total number to 4,000 families and almost doubling the total population of the fourth-class municipality to around 24,000 people.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/06/26/marawi-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">The covered basketball court at the municipal hall compound of Saguiaran is temporary shelter for 400 families. <cite> Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>The conflict that started on May 23 reached a <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/23/17/one-month-after-palace-says-martial-law-a-success">full month</a> on Friday, with the end still nowhere in sight as Maute forces scattered in four remaining barangays of the city continued to evade government troops. </p><p>Aerial bombings and ground attacks have been relentless daily, even going on into the night. But every day is a new start as enemy snipers continue to target government troops in previously cleared areas.</p><p>The government said at least 280 suspected terrorists have been killed and 69 men on the government side have died fighting. At least 26 civilians have meanwhile died by enemy fire, according to the military.</p><p>The uncertainty of when the siege will end has resulted in a humanitarian crisis as the conflict entered its second month. </p><p>More than 230,000 Marawi residents who have fled the conflict zone are now scattered in neighboring towns and provinces. </p><p>Marawi City, once Lanao del Sur&#x27;s bustling commercial center, is in ruins. And the loss is felt even in nearby towns that used to depend on Marawi City for commerce, like Saguiran.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/06/26/marawi-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributes P1,000 cash relief to evacuees at the covered court in Saguiaran, where 400 families stay. <cite> Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;Karamihan dito doon nagtatrabaho sa Marawi,&quot; said Saguiaran Mayor Macmod Mute.</p><p>Now, aside from providing relief to his own constituents displaced by the war, Mute has to take care of the evacuees.</p><p>&quot;Ang problema kasi dito, &#x27;yung mga evacuees, iniisip kapag hindi sila matulog dito (evacuation center), hindi sila mabibigyan ng relief,&quot; said Mute. &quot;&#x27;Yung nagdo-donate naman kasi, dini-diretso sa evacuees.&quot;</p><p>The scuffle where Karem figured is a good example. There was a donation for clothes for about 60 people, and it was dropped directly in the covered court where there were some 2,000 people.</p><p>&quot;Ang gusto ko lang sana ay pareho ang trato, sa home-based o nasa evacuation center,&quot; Mute said.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/06/26/marawi-4.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Mayor Macmod Mute of Saguiaran is praised by evacuees whom he welcomed at the height of the evacuation from Marawi City. <cite> Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Mute said he wants to centralize all aid and distribute it only when the stock is enough for 4,000. Right now, his office receives donations from the DSWD, the Philippine Red Cross and other non-government and private organizations.</p><p>&quot;Walang problema kay Mayor (Mute), hindi niya pinabayaan ang bakwit (evacuees), wi-nelcome niya kami na parang pamilya,&quot; Marawi resident Acmad said of Mayor Mute. </p><p>Acmad, who withheld his last name for security reasons, came to Saguiaran with his second wife and their five children. </p><p>Right now, they are entirely dependent on relief goods for their daily meals, as are the rest of families in the evacuation center. </p><p>Despite the difficult conditions, Usudan said he has no choice but to stay. What he laments is that his brother Muslims, members of the Maute Group, were the ones that brought the situation on them.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/06/26/marawi-5.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Acmad, an evacuee from Marawi City, breaks into tears as he recalls the terror of escaping his hometown with his family amid ongoing clashes. <cite> Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;Kapwa nila Muslim, sinisira. Paano &#x27;yung mga bata, &#x27;yung mga babae, &#x27;yung mga namatay diyan,&quot; Usudan said sobbing as he recalled their escape. &quot;Ang sama ng loob namin sa mga ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), bakit nila ginaganito kapwa nila Muslim? Un-Islamic &#x27;yan.&quot;</p><p>Even with the holy month of Ramadan coming to a close, a day traditionally celebrated with a feast, the Eid al-Fitr, Acmad and the rest of the evacuees can only think of their day-to-day survival for now.</p><p>&quot;Bahala na si Allah,&quot; he said when asked if he would even observe Eid.</p><div><br/><strong>SOLUTION 3 MONTHS AWAY</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/06/26/marawi-6.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">400 families go about their daily chores while living in cramped conditions at the covered court of the Saguiaran City Hall. <cite> Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Mute said he met with officials of the region and affected local governments last week to plan a long-term response to the crisis. In attendance were Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv Hataman and Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. The plan is to put up a tent city.</p><p>The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has said it was looking at setting up <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/15/17/govt-eyes-tent-cities-for-marawi-evacuees-if-number-of-displaced-swells">tent cities</a> if the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) further swells.</p><p>But Mute estimates it would take at least three months before a tent city could be set up. He cites questions on funding, which province to set it up, and the exact lot where to put it as factors that may delay the implementation of this plan.</p>

<p>The town of Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, the nearest municipality in war-torn Marawi City, teeters on the brink of crisis as its population doubles because of evacuees.</p>

The town of Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur, the nearest municipality in war-torn Marawi City, teeters on the brink of crisis as its population doubles because of evacuees.

Marawi evacuees double town's population

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Focus

Marawi evacuees double town's population

Fernando Sepe Jr.,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 24, 2017 06:11 PM PHT

|

Updated June 24, 2017 06:54 PM PHT

Read More:

Marawi

Maute

conflict

MarawiClash

evacuation

Saguiaran

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.