Duterte approves compensation for 2017 Marawi siege victims

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the law providing compensation to the victims of the 2017 Marawi siege, Malacañang said Wednesday.

At a briefing, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said Duterte has already signed Republic Act No. 11696 or Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2022.

The act provides compensation to the victims for the loss and destruction of properties as well as loss of lives due to the months-long siege perpetrated by members of the Maute terrorist group, according to Andanar.

With this,  any owner of a residential, cultural, commercial structures, and other properties in Marawi’s most affected areas (MAA) or other affected areas (OAA) who met the requirements is entitled to receive a tax-free compensation from the government.

The legal heirs as provided for by the Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines or the Civil Code of the Philippines shall receive the compensation of the deceased owner.

An independent quasi-judicial body, composed of appointed officials by the president, will be created that will manage the compensation process, Andanar said.

“Bubuo ng isang independent quasi-judicial body na tatawaging Marawi Compensation Board na pamumunuan ng isangng chairman at walong mga miyembro na i-aapont ng pangulo,” he said.

(An independent quasi-judicial body that will be called Marawi Compensation Board will be created, and it will be headed by a chairman and four members appointed by the president.)

The board will be composed of three members of the Philippine Bar, preferably Maranao lawyers who have been practicing law for at least five years; one licensed physician; one Certified Public Accountant; one educator; and one licensed civil engineer. 

Pacquiao welcomes law

Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao welcomed Duterte's signing of the measure.

"Magandang balita na 'yan dahil nilagdaan na ng ating pangulo at mabibigyan na rin ng compensation lahat ng mga nasalanta at nadamay sa kaguluhan sa Marawi," he said.

"Ang tagal na niyan, 2017 pa, limang taon na. Matagal na ring umiiyak 'yung mga tao du'n, 'yung mga pamilya na naapektuhan. Kaya pasalamat naman tayo at sa wakas nadesisyunan na ng Pangulo," he added.—With a report from Jamil Santos/KBK, GMA News