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EXCLUSIVE: Destruction greets local officials in Marawi ground zero

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Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">LOOK: New images of massive destruction from ground zero of Marawi Siege, communities flattened, structures collapsed. <a href="https://t.co/qU4O2lUVlY">pic.twitter.com/qU4O2lUVlY</a></p>— Ron Gagalac (@rongagalac) <a href="https://twitter.com/rongagalac/status/932848117929558016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2017</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><p>MARAWI CITY - Local officials on Tuesday set foot inside ground zero of the 5-month-long conflict that left much of the city in ruins and displaced thousands.</p><p>&quot;Wala na kaming babalikan,&quot; said Barangay Lumbac Madaya chairwoman Cairon Dimatingcal as she wept and surveyed concrete and steel debris. </p><p>(We have nothing to return to.)</p><p>City Councilors Nilab Macabangon and Farhana Norilangco were similarly in shock with what they saw.</p><p>&quot;Parang magko-collapse ako since nakita ko ito ngayon,&quot; Norilangco said. </p><p>(I feel as if I&#x27;m about to collapse after seeing this.)<br/> <br/>&quot;Nakakalungkot makita yung lugar mo nagkaganito, sobrang masakit sa part namin,&quot; Macabangon said. </p><p>(It is devastating to see your hometown like this. This is painful for us.)</p><p>This is also the first time that a media organization was allowed to enter and take footage of the area. </p><p>Parts of the war zone were still in flames due to the bombs left by Maute terrorists, which is also why civilians were still barred from returning there. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Houses still burning inside the main battle area in Marawi due to unexploded bombs and improvised explosive devices left by terrorists, military still prohibit civilians from entering the warzone. <a href="https://t.co/TjH7Jz61AT">pic.twitter.com/TjH7Jz61AT</a></p>— Ron Gagalac (@rongagalac) <a href="https://twitter.com/rongagalac/status/932848932408799232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2017</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><p>Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra said the officials were brought to the area so they could tell constituents of what to expect in their homecoming.</p><p>&quot;Kapag they will be allowed to get inside, at least medyo conditioned na kanilang pag-iisip na kanilang mararatnan dito at of course they have to expect the worst,&quot; Gandamra said. </p><p>(Once they are allowed to get inside, at least they would be prepared about what waits for them here. Of course, they have to expect the worst.)</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Local officials of Marawi City visits the main battle area, will now prepare the residents to expect the worst upon their return to the war torn city. <a href="https://t.co/xKZTmrF5EI">pic.twitter.com/xKZTmrF5EI</a></p>— Ron Gagalac (@rongagalac) <a href="https://twitter.com/rongagalac/status/932849891117633536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2017</a></blockquote><div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script></div><p>The mayor also rejected down proposals to preserve the main battle area as a historical reminder of the battle for Marawi.</p><p>&quot;There should be complete reconstruction and rehabilitation. If we have to expand, we can expand, but other proposals na i-preserve yung ruins ng ground zero, mukhang hindi naayon sa sensibilities ng ating mga kababayan&quot; Gandamra said. </p>

<p>Local officials on Tuesday set foot inside the ground zero of the 5-month terrorist rampage that reduced much of the once bustling city into ruins and forced thousands of residents to flee. </p>

Local officials on Tuesday set foot inside the ground zero of the 5-month terrorist rampage that reduced much of the once bustling city into ruins and forced thousands of residents to flee.

EXCLUSIVE: Destruction greets local officials in Marawi ground zero

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EXCLUSIVE: Destruction greets local officials in Marawi ground zero

Ron Gagalac,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 21, 2017 03:41 PM PHT

Read More:

Marawi

terrorism

Islamic State

Maute

main battle area

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