Marawi City — The Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur intensified its commitment to bringing truth, dignity, and closure to families of the Marawi Siege victims as it convened the 4th Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting on the Identification of Marawi Siege Victims earlier today at the PGAD Conference Room.
Presided over by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) Shaminoden A. Sambitory, the meeting tackled critical religious, forensic, and operational concerns in the ongoing mission to identify the remains of those who perished during the 2017 Marawi conflict.
Islamic Guidance Clarified
The first agenda centered on Darul Ifta Fatwa No. 19, Series of 2025, with Aleem Ansary Angnie Abdulmalik, Head of the Provincial Ulama Council, providing a detailed review. He clarified that the application of the fatwa poses no contradiction to Islamic teachings, provided that all actions are properly justified and carried out with full respect for Islamic principles.
Abdulmalik stressed the importance of honoring the deceased and safeguarding the dignity of their families, underscoring that all identification and exhumation efforts must align with religious doctrines while pursuing justice and truth.
DNA Testing Updates and Forensic Coordination
Significant updates were also presented on the DNA testing process, with PLTCOL Edmar A. Dela Torre and PMAJ Jasper Magana of the DNA Laboratory, alongside PLTCOL Ariel Ginotiva of the Regional Forensic Unit–BARMM in Cotabato City, joining the meeting virtually.
The officials reported ongoing forensic examinations and strengthened inter-agency coordination aimed at ensuring accurate scientific identification of remains. They emphasized that DNA testing remains a vital tool in confirming identities and delivering reliable results to families who have waited years for answers.
Exhumation Plans, Funding, and Manpower
The final agenda focused on proposed exhumation dates, funding requirements, office availability, and manpower deployment. PMAJ Von Carlo Ates of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office – Forensic Unit outlined operational considerations and stressed the need for strong inter-agency collaboration to ensure the process is orderly, respectful, and efficient.
He highlighted that careful planning is essential to prevent delays and ensure that every step of the exhumation is conducted with professionalism and sensitivity.
Humanitarian Importance Emphasized
Representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reiterated the humanitarian significance of the initiative, describing it as a crucial step in restoring dignity to the deceased and easing the long-standing anguish of families searching for their missing loved ones.
The ICRC stressed that beyond the technical process, the effort is about truth, healing, and closure for communities deeply scarred by the siege.
Broad Inter-Agency Participation
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Provincial Information Office, PDRRMO, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Ulama Council, 103rd Infantry Brigade, Lanao del Sur Provincial Forensic Unit–PNP Forensic Group, Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office–PNP, Ministry of the Interior and Local Government–Lanao del Sur, and the ICRC.
The participation of both local and national agencies highlights a unified resolve to address one of the most painful legacies of the Marawi Siege.
A Step Toward Justice and Closure
Nearly a decade after the devastation of Marawi, the continued efforts to identify the victims signal a powerful message: the dead will not be forgotten, and the living deserve answers. Through science, faith, and coordinated action, Lanao del Sur is taking firm steps toward justice, dignity, and long-overdue closure for the families of the fallen.