(Eagle News) –The Iglesia Ni Cristo will be conducting relief distribution in Iligan and Balo-i in Lanao del Norte today, July 11, to help Marawi evacuees affected by the ongoing Marawi siege that entered its 50th day today
The relief distribution or “Lingap” will be held simultaneously starting 8 a.m. in the evacuation centers in Iligan and Balo-i. About a hundred thousand food and relief packs will be distributed, according to organizers.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Mindanao Crisis Committee have already identified about 95,000 individuals needing assistance in these evacuation centers, including children.
The Metro Manila Muslim Community for Justice and Peace, through its chairman Datu Basher “Bong” Alonto, had initially requested assistance from INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo for the victims of the Marawi siege.
Immediately, INC mobilized its people and resources to help the Marawi evacuees.
Fighting is still ongoing in Marawi City as government forces continue to battle the remaining Islamist militants, including the Maute group, who first attacked the city on May 23. The Armed Forces of the Philippines said that the remaining Islamist extremists in Marawi could still be about a hundred, and that they occupy just a small part of the city.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law for the whole island of Mindanao on May 23 which was supposed to last for only 60 days. Fighting enters its 50th day today.
Recently, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the President’s 60-day martial law declaration in Mindanao, with majority of the justices, 11, favoring it and upholding its constitutionality.
Three justices voted to partially grant the petitions against martial law in Mindanao, while only one opposed the martial law declaration, fully granting the the petitions against martial law of various critics led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.
