The provincial government of Lanao del Sur is gearing up to hold town hall meetings in three Mindanao cities to help families of victims who went missing during the 2017 Marawi siege obtain information and assistance in identifying their loved ones.
The preparations were discussed during the 10th meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Action Plan for Marawi Siege Victims Identification on Oct. 29 at the New Capitol Complex in Marawi City.
The planned town hall sessions will be held in Marawi, Iligan and Pagadian cities, with the participation of concerned local government units and partner agencies, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
In a statement, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur said the meeting focused on finalizing logistical arrangements, program flow and inter-agency coordination to ensure the orderly conduct of the sessions.
Discussions included providing transportation, food, accommodation and other necessary assistance to families participating in the activities, as well as government personnel.
The TWG also discussed measures to improve communication with families, including preparing frequently asked questions, establishing a help desk and developing an additional communication platform where relatives can raise concerns and seek information about the identification process.
Concerned government agencies are also expected to participate in the sessions to provide families with relevant information and assistance.
The Marawi siege erupted on May 23, 2017, when the Islamic State-aligned Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups occupied parts of the city and fought government forces for five months.
The conflict displaced hundreds of thousands of residents, destroyed large portions of the city’s center and left many families searching for missing relatives.
The government declared Marawi liberated on Oct. 17, 2017, after confirming the deaths of militant leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.
However, the fate and identification of people who went missing during the conflict remain a concern for affected families.