Distribution of compensation for Marawi siege claimants suspended

The first batch of 22 families of those killed in the 2017 Marawi siege line up to receive their compensation checks on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. in Marawi City. (File photo by RICHEL V. UMEL / Inquirer Mindanao)

MANILA, Philippines — The Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) has suspended its distribution of compensation to Marawi siege claimants following the bombing at the Mindanao State University that killed four people and wounded at least 50 0thers.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros disclosed this in her short manifestation during Monday’s plenary session.

“Some of our colleagues mentioned the important work of MCB. But we have another news from Marawi City today — the MCB has suspended their award of compensation this week from the fourth to the eighth of December,” Hontiveros said, speaking partly in Filipino.

“And that, that, that’s the long-term effect that those who do and are doing these kinds of terror actions want to create. Put hope aside, give way to disappointment, and all the other resentments they use for their dark purposes,” she added.

READ: Marawi siege victims file over ₱17 billion in claims

During the Senate debates on the 2024 national budget bill, it was also Hontiveros who disclosed that the MCB would kick off its distribution of checks for the first batch of Marawi residents with death claims starting on Nov. 20.

She added that, as of November 2023, the MCB has evaluated around 303 structural claims amounting to P1.01 billion and 59 death claims amounting to P26 million.