Marawi residents happy to return even to looted homes

Some 4,000 residents of Marawi City have returned to their homes after more than five months of armed conflict between terrorist forces and the government.

"Siyempre, masaya na nabalikan namin 'yung bahay tapos nakita mo 'yung bahay mo na hindi nasunog," Salima Salaudin, one of the residents, said in a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend."

This was echoed by Khalid Gumambao, who said he was happy to return even after looters took appliances from his home.

"'Yung ano lang, TV tsaka mga appliance ng bahay ('yung ninakaw) pero okay lang 'yun kaysa buhay ang mawala," he said.

According to Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra, they are now working on rehabilitating the war-torn city.

"Ito pong pagtapos ng kaguluhan sa Marawi City ay hindi po dito nagtatapos ang problema, kundi itong paghatap dito sa itong mga naging consequences ng kaguluhan na maraming nawalan ng kabuhayan," he said.

For his part, Lanao del Sur Provincial Director Senior Superintendent John Guyguyon said they are still imposing strict security measures in the area.

"Pagkagat sana ng dilim, hindi naman sa nirerestrict natin 'yung movement within [Barangay Basac] Malutlot pero we want everybody to be safe. 'Yun lang po muna ang announcement natin sa ating mga kababayan para wala pong madisgrasya," he said.

He also said they are making sure that residents return to their own homes as some may take advantage and claim ownership of other houses.

"Marami pong bahay na ayaw natin papasukan para wala pong magsabi na pinasukan na hindi kanya. So kung Basac Malutlot, hanggang dito lang po muna tayo. 'Yun po 'yung isa nating iniiwasan, 'yung pagpasok ng mga [ISIS] sympathizers because just like 'yung pagpasok ng ating mga kababayan, may mga hindi taga-rito po na sumabay," he added. --Jon Viktor Cabuenas/JST, GMA News