From a city of conflict and uncertainty, some residents of Marawi found hope in a home by the highway here, where a family offered food and drinks.
Amer Riga, 28, and his family in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte did not think their good deed would go viral (13,000 shares and counting as of posting), as they only wanted to help fellow Mindanaons.
“Nakita po namin na sobrang traffic dito so napagpasyahan po namin na kahit ice water lang po [ang ipamigay namin],” Riga said.
(We saw the traffic jam here and we decided to give cold water at least.)
But that cold bottle of water meant relief to Marawi residents, who endured walking for at least 5 hours under intense summer heat, and underwent exhausting security checkpoints.
HAPPY TO HELP
Riga said their family was not rich; they even had to solicit money from relatives to buy food and other supplies. But being able to help those in need motivate them to do more.
“Nakakalungkot kasi nakikita namin sa facial expression nila na kahit papano nasisiyahan sila sa kaunting tulong na ibinibigay namin. Pero alam namin, nararamdaman din namin ‘yung experience na dinaanan nila,” he said.
Now, thanks to social media, the Riga family have more to spread good vibes.
“Marami pong gustong tumulong kahit hindi namin kakilala… Hindi namin akalain na may mga maantig at gustong tumulong,” he said.
(There are lot of people who want to help. We didn’t expect that so many people would want to help.)
“Ang dami pong nag-text, ang daming gustong tumulong. Hanggang ngayon binabasa ko pa ‘yung mga message,” he said.
(I got a lot of text messages from people who want to help. Until now, I’m reading their messages.)
‘STAY STRONG MARAWI’
Riga, a 28-year-old nursing student, frequented Marawi and only had memories of peace.
“Masaya po sa Marawi. ‘Yung kultura po ng isang Muslim ay sobrang saya po. Feeling mo napaka-safe. Pero nung mga nagdaang araw parang bumaliktad lahat,” he said.
“Nakakalungkot kasi ‘yung kung gaano kaganda ‘yung Marawi City, napalitan po ng lungkot. Nakaka-trauma talaga,” he added.
(It’s fun in Marawi. The culture of Muslims there is very happy. You feel safe but these past few days everything turned upside down. It’s sad because the beauty of Marawi turned into sadness. It’s traumatic.)
Since Tuesday, government forces have been conducting bomb runs in the besieged city to flush out members of local terror groups Maute and Abu Sayyaf who clashed with government troops.
The siege began as troops pursued Isnilon Hapilon, a suspected leader of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia.
Story: ABS-CBN News
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