Despite fighting, MSU classes resume Tuesday

The Mindanao State University main campus in Marawi City. (Photo courtesy of Ayuna Grande Gunting Al Hadj)

MARAWI CITY — The Mindanao State University (MSU) campus here will officially restart classes on Tuesday despite the hostilities in another part of this war-torn city.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said military and school officials agreed to resume classes at the MSU main campus after proper security arrangements.

In an advisory released through the Joint Task Force Marawi, MSU officials said the military will put up an operation center inside the campus to assist returning students and freshmen.

Dr. Florencio Recoleto, MSU’s acting vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the security plan was the product of a long-term security arrangement between the military and civilian authorities.

Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, the JTF Marawi spokesperson, said volunteers and soldiers have been cleaning up the campus since Thursday ahead of the resumption of classes.

“About 800 students will be shuttled from Iligan City to Marawi on the first day of class. These students have signified [they will] come to MSU campus on Tuesday,” Petinglay said.

Although the campus is some distance from the conflict area in downtown Marawi, the school’s graduation ceremonies were moved to the MSU campus in Iligan City last July for safety reasons.