A HUMAN rights group said authentic liberation can only be achieved if the government heeds the call of the Muslim community to end the martial rule in Mindanao and to stop the ongoing air strikes in war-torn Marawi.
Fr. Christopher Ablon, secretary-general of Karapatan-Northern Mindanao, said the "Marawi Independence" as claimed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is "nothing but a show".
"When Martial law will be lifted and air strikes ended, that will be the true Independence Day for the people of Marawi," Ablon said.
The rights group is currently in Iligan City to document displaced persons "to probe the truth behind the Marawi crisis."
Already, Ablon said initial data on the damage of properties wrought by the Marawi air strikes is placed at P6 million.
Karapatan said the "bombardments were clearly indiscriminate and targeted civilian population contrary to the surgical claim of the army".
"The evacuees felt dismayed with Martial law that encouraged and justified the aerial bombardment which to them is disproportionate and an overkill response to the Maute threat sighting that there are still many civilians on the ground," he said.
Karapatan, together with the Rural Missionaries in the Philippines and other progressive organizations, formed the Kalinaw Mindanao to respond to the humanitarian needs of the Marawi crisis.
It is set to conduct a national inter-faith humanitarian mission on June 13 to 16.
Meanwhile, Monday’s independence day celebration had the government officials urging public support for President Rodrigo Duterte in his martial law declaration in Mindanao.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who appeared as keynote speaker of the 119th Independence Celebration hosted by the city, said the country continues to fight for its total liberation from fear, terror, and from the proliferation of illegal drugs.
"Our President vowed to finish off the terrorists in Marawi, we can give no less than our full support. From the very beginning, he wants to address the threat of extremists terror in Mindanao. The martial law is not meant to snatch our people's independence, and not meant to snatch our individual liberties, but meant to protect our lives and properties," he said.
"As we celebrate our independence, we are called to continue our fight for our nation, for our total liberation, from fear, from terror, from illegal drugs for we may have been enjoying independence for more than 100 years but the struggle to free our people from the clutches of terror and drug continues," he said.
Mayor Oscar Moreno emphasized that all parts of the country is equally affected with what has been happening in Marawi City.
Moreno admits that investors are now avoiding the city as one of the ill effects of the Marawi crisis and martial rule.
"What is happening in Marawi reminds us of the division and the colonization that we have experienced for many years, naa ang duda, distrust, and worry but we have to realize we are all sons and daughters of Mindanao," he said.
"I hope nga kining situation sa Marawi will not only trigger a climate of peace but also the redemption of Mindanao, promote harmony for all, not harmony for some, and help the government by making sure the security, fostering solidarity for all and by showing compassion," Moreno said in his message.
