Film showing Marawi devastation drives evacuees to tears  

A feature film showing the current situation in Marawi City has driven the evacuees staying in a shelter in Saguiaran town, Lanao del Sur, to tears, a report by GMA News' Marison Abdurahman on 24 Oras on Tuesday said.

The film showing event was part of the information campaign of Task Group Tabang to show the evacuees why it was still not safe for them to come home, the report said.

"Marami pang stray bullets, marami pang unexploded ordnances, hindi pa naki-clear 'yong mga booby traps at mga IED (improvised explosive devices) na inilagay ng Maute group," Col. Thomas Sedano of Task Force Tabang said.

The report said the evacuees could not help but feel emotional upon seeing in the film the devastation caused by the weeks-long armed conflict in Marawi City, which started on May 23 when Maute group members stormed the place.

"Napanuod namin 'yung nangyayari sa Marawi, nasaktan ang mga damdamin namin. Wasak na 'yung mga bahay, nakakalungkot," said Erot Kodo, an evacuee, while cradling a young boy in his arms.

Isinihaya Bato, another evacuee and a mother of two young children, said she misses their life in Marawi City.

"Sa Marawi kahit 'di ka makakain, okay lang. Dito ang hirap, kahit araw-araw, bigyan kami," she said.

Dr. Alinader Minalang of the provincial health office said the situation in the evacuation center is also affecting the mental health of evacuees. "Meron talaga tayong nakita na mga, halos nasiraan na talaga ng bait," he said.

The report said Task Force Tabang also explained to the evacuees the importance of the operations against the Maute group, and why the ISIS-inspired organization must be crushed.

The task force also said it's important for children to learn about the Maute since the group often targets the young for recruitment. —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News