MANILA, Philippines — The death of terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute would enable the government to shift its focus on rehabilitating battle-ravaged Marawi, an official said Tuesday.
Office of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Kristoffer James Purisima said an initial assessment of the damage caused by the siege might be completed by October 27. But he admitted that the assessment teams could not enter the main battle area until it has been cleared of terrorists.
“The target date of completion for the field deployment, including data analysis, consolidation, and report development is on 27 October,” Purisima said in a press briefing in Malacañang.
“The damage and losses assessment or DALA in the uncleared areas identified as zones 13 to 17 shall commence immediately once the AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) clearing operations are completed,” he added.
READ: Armed Forces: Pockets of fighting despite announced liberation of Marawi
Purisima could not provide estimates of the property damage but believes that the P100 billion approximation of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana might be “conservative.”
“We do not have the total picture yet. It is hard to provide estimates…Clearing operations and assessments are still ongoing,” the civil defense official said.
“The initial figure stated was P50 billion…but it can be higher,” he added.
Maute and Hapilon were killed in an early morning raid last Monday, a development that officials described as a major setback to the Islamist terrorists in the region. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the death of the two terrorist leaders would pave the way to the end of the Marawi crisis, which started last May 23.
READ: How Maute, Hapilon died in one of last Marawi gunfights
The crisis has left 847 terrorists, 163 government troopers and 47 civilians dead and has displaced 78,466 families or 359,680 persons.
Purisima said the National Housing Authority has started building transitional shelters for those who lost their homes because of the conflict.
“Within the year, perhaps we will provide 1,500 shelters. These are on top of those who did not signify (interest to avail of the housing units),” he said.
“For those who did not signify, either we will look for additional shelter sites or they will continue to be attended to by their relatives or friends.”
Purisima said five civil defense teams composed of 145 members from 15 agencies and the Marawi local government were deployed to conduct post-conflict needs assessment.
READ: Military: Hapilon, Maute deaths may turn terrorists 'more violent'
The teams left the national emergency operations center in Iligan City Monday morning to assess the damage and losses caused by the conflict.
The Lanao del Sur and Marawi City local governments have presented their rehabilitation plans to the Task Force Bangon Marawi, the interagency body formed to rebuild the city.
“Their plans are still being reviewed, validated and refined with the assistance of the Task Force considering available resources and the results of the PCNA (post-conflict needs assessment),” Purisima said.
“The Marawi City local government unit is also working with the AFP in identifying barangays that are already declared safe and a number of families will be assisted by troops in their return at the soonest possible time,” he added.
Purisima said the displaced residents would be allowed to return by barangay clusters.