OPAPP, Duyog Marawi host peace conversation for Marawi siege hostage survivors

By Claire R. Gigje

Marawi siege hostage survivors who are now living in Iligan City gather for a peace conversation intended for them to talk about their experiences during and after the siege. This program is spearheaded by OPAPP in partnership with Duyog Marawi. (Angelo D. Dologmandin/ PIA-ICIC)

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ILIGAN CITY, May 20–The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in partnership with Duyog Marawi pushed a peace conversation with Marawi siege hostage survivors Wednesday, May 19.

Rex Gimena, Program Manager of Duyog Marawi, conveyed that this program aims to give an opportunity to the siege hostage survivors to speak for themselves regarding their current situation after the conflict.

Vanessa Pallarco, Social Healing and Peace Department Director of OPAPP, also shared that the effort is part of their Social Healing and Peace Building Program, their dedicated support as a member of the Task Force Bangon Marawi under the Subcommittee on Peace and Order. 

She added that on the part of OPAPP, they target to get the context of the survivors’ experiences and use it to shape future beneficial programs.

“Hopefully, itong mga context at narratives nila, ito rin iyong aming magiging reference for further improvement and enhancement ng ating mga konsepto para doon sa ating mga policy recommendations and also mga programa na idedevelop natin, kung paano pa natin siya maenhance iyong social healing and peacebuilding program,” said Pallarco.

[Hopefully, these contexts and narratives, will also be our reference for further improvement and enhancement of our concept for our policy recommendations and also the programs that we will develop, as to how we can further enhance the social healing and peacebuilding program.]

Meanwhile, participants proved that the conducted peace conversation is significant to them.

“Nakatabang gyud to sa amoa kay bali nagawas namo ang gusto namo sa gobyerno. Basin matabangan mi nila. Hinaot nga dili lang ni katapusan ug magdugay pa ilang serbisyo para sa amoa para matabangan mi nila,” expressed Roger Patendol, a siege hostage survivor. 

[That really helped us because we were able to deliver what we wanted to say to the government. Maybe they will be able to help us. I hope that this will not be the end and their service may still be extended so that they can help us.] Philippine Information Agency

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