Duterte forms group to study establishment of Marawi military camp

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to study the establishment of a military camp in Marawi City.

The TWG will be composed of the Department of National Defense, Office of the Executive Secretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Land Registration Authority, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Duterte said in his Memorandum Order 41 dated Nov. 15.

The agencies are tasked to conduct a census for the identification of those who will be affected by the establishment of the camp in Kapantaran, Marawi City.

Three detachments composed of three battalions dispersed at the boundaries between Marawi City and its contiguous municipalities are being considered for the military camp.

The TWG, according to the MO, will conduct a resurvey of the area to reestablish the metes and bounds of the proposed camp; ascertain the status of ownership and possession of the lands proposed to be included in the military camp; expedite the titling and registration of the affected parcels of lands; assist in the resettlement of the individuals and families which may be displaced; provide support to all affected local government units; enlist the support of other government agencies and instrumentalities; and submit periodic reports to the Office of the President relative to the establishment of the military camp.

The development came after more than 100,000 people from Marawi City and Lanao del Sur province reportedly signed a petition asking Duterte to halt the government’s plan to build new military camps in the war-torn city.

Homegrown Maute terrorists laid siege on Marawi City on May 23, 2017, sparking a battle between Islamic State-inspired combatants and government troops for five months and left the Islamic City in ruins.

GSG