[Former Xavier Ateneo SIRAJ president Nor Jamal Batugan delivered this reaction speech on the Marawi crisis during the Cagayan de Oro leg of the Philippine Daily Inquirer Series, "In the Shadow of the Dragon: Perspectives from Mindanao, In Light of Marawi" held at the XU Little Theater on Tuesday, June 27. Photo by Jean Abarquez/The Crusader Publication]
Atty Antonio La Viña, Prof Antonio Montalvan, Atty Maricel Seno, school officials, faculty members, fellow Ateneans, good morning and assalāmu ‘alaykum to my brothers and sisters in Islam.
I thank Xavier University and the Philippine Daily Inquirer for organizing such very timely and relevant forum. The Philippine independence, the rise of China, and the Marawi siege are key issues that require in-depth understanding and analysis.
As we speak, government troops and militants continue to clash in Marawi. Airstrikes, massive looting, and gunfights from both sides continue to destroy houses, buildings, schools, and madrasahs. After 33 days of gunfights, 384 lives were lost, 50 of which are innocent civilians. For many of us, these numbers give a glimpse of how the siege has damaged Marawi. However, in the eyes of a Meranaw, these numbers reflect nothing but only numbers. The fear, the agony, the suffering, the destruction, the survival — these experiences can only be told as truthful as possible by the victims.
I was raised in Marawi. I earned my basic, elementary, secondary, and my seminary education in Marawi. I grew up weaving my dreams and making them a reality in Marawi. It has already become an important fabric of my memory. What made me what I am today is because of Marawi. To see my homeland ravaged is beyond what I can mouth into words.
The other day, Meranaws along with the Muslim Ummah celebrated Eid al-Fitr. What was supposed to be a day of joy and celebration became a day of mourning and loss — mourning for the homes that were destroyed, for the lives that were lost, and for the future that is yet to be known.
In the past Ramadans, we used to pray for our brothers and sisters who are victims of war abroad — Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Burma. We never anticipated that in this year, we would now do the same for Marawi. In the late nights and the wee hours of morning, we would earnestly pray for one another, for the safety of our loved ones who chose to stay in Lanao, for the good Lord to grant the Mindanao the peace that it deserves.
For a Meranaw, Marawi is home — Marawi is the only home. If it is lost, there is no place to come back to. Marawi is our identity. If it is destroyed, a part of us is gone forever.
Brokenhearted, yes we may be, but we shall never lose hope. We look back to what we were, to who we are. We were warriors who fought for our faith and our land, we are the descendants of Sultan Kudarat, Amai Pakpak, we are the unconquered people of Lanao. Amid all of these, we believe that we shall rise again and redeem ourselves.
What caused Marawi crisis is more than just an attack from violent extremists. The frustration of the Moros to be accorded their right to self-determination has reached its climax. Extremists took the opportunity of the exasperation to indoctrinate them with radicalism; the youth being the most vulnerable and susceptible victims. It is high time to answer the Moro problem. We need to break the cycle of extremism.
To our Filipino brethren and our fellow Kagay-anons, we ask your patience and understanding during these trying times. Rest assured, we shall soon return home. We only seek a temporary shelter. This is the time to display our solidarity and resilience as Filipinos, as Bangsamoro.
To my fellow Meranaws, this is a wake-up call for all of us. This is the right time for us to reflect, to re-evaluate ourselves in order that we rise again stronger than before. Let us check the kind of Islam that we practice. We shall rebuild our city again and rise stronger than ever.
To my fellow Ateneans, Saint Ignatius taught us to find God in all things and to become men and women for others. May we learn how to be thankful to Him. Yesterday, we were just like you, attending classes, spending time with families, until this happened. Let us thank Him for the gift of peace and security.
To all those who helped our displaced brothers and sisters, Sanggibo Rkano A Salamat. Words are feeble to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you. To Xavier University, I have been a witness to how much you have lent a hand to our brothers and sisters in Marawi, maraming marami pong salamat!
Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.∎