Insensitive to the plight of the Maranao

The plan for the Marawi rubble of architect Felino Palafox Jr., who was quoted as saying that “the damaged [buildings]… can be retained, especially those full of bullet holes, as a lesson for the future on how terrorism can destroy a peaceful city” (“Cost of war,” Property, 10/21/17) is absurd, insensitive or even inhuman.

The Maranao have been suffering long enough to be constantly reminded of a recent horrible and bitter past. All the Maranao need right now are the government’s sincerity and mercy to help them get back to a normal and peaceful life. The stigma of the siege is incomprehensible to the Maranao, who do not
need a city-wide museum of ruins as a “Great Reminder.” Palafox should be a Maranao to have truly felt and experienced the full physical, social, cultural and psychological brunt of the siege. Certainly, he has rubbed salt on a cultural injury.

His flight of imagination can further fuel violent extremism and terrorism and can deter the psycho-social rehabilitation of affected people who are the true losers in this Marawi siege. The government should rethink its decision to tap Palafox in the comprehensive rehabilitation of Marawi.

SITTIE MARIAM MACAPOON, [email protected]