MCB faces backlash as Marawi siege survivors rally over failed promise

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Protesters accuse the Marawi Compensation Board officials of breaking their word to bring their concerns to Malacañang

MARAWI, Philippines – Hundreds of survivors of the 2017 Marawi siege protested outside the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) office in Marawi City on Monday, April 28, after the board allegedly failed to fulfill its promise to help them and bring their concerns about their compensation to Malacañang.

Some 500 demonstrators, coming from displaced families, are from four barangays – Sabala Manaw, Datu Dansalan, Datu Naga, and Dansalan – which were among the most affected during the 2017 Marawi siege. Combined, these barangays are home to more than 2,000 families.

On March 11, claimants first staged a rally to demand the prioritization of their compensation, which led to a dialogue with MCB officials, barangay representatives, and some residents.

SCREAMING PLACARDS. Some Marawi siege compensation claimants hold their placards outside the MCB on Monday, April 28, 2025. Abdul Hafiz Malawani/Rappler

During the dialogue, both parties agreed that the MCB would forward the claims of the four barangays to Malacañang for immediate processing. However, the claimants returned to the streets after learning that the MCB allegedly reneged on the agreement.

“The last time we had a dialogue after the March 11 rally, they said that they would prioritize the four barangays for compensation,” said civil society group leader Aslani Cabugatan Montila during the rally. “Now, [they] changed [their] word. [They] lied to the four barangays. That is why we are here again,” he added.

Montila chairs Siyap Ko Pagtaw for Operations for Peoples’ Empowerment, a civil society group advocating for the rights and welfare of the Meranaw people. He is also the lead organizer of the rallies involving Marawi siege survivors from the four barangays.

Montila told Rappler that the problem was that their claims had already been approved, posted for approval, and notices of decision had even been issued.

He explained that the only issue now is that their compensation is being set aside because the MCB plans to transfer the processing to the National Housing Authority (NHA), which would mean restarting the entire process.

Montila suggested that, since the budget and claims have already been approved, the compensation should be released immediately to resolve the issue.

He accused the MCB of “betraying” the claimants by approving their claims only to later announce their transfer to another agency.

A furious Montila took to Facebook to livestream the rally, showing demonstrators with placards used during the protest, hoping to draw the attention of the NHA and other concerned government offices.

During the rally, participants waved placards and tarpaulins expressing their frustration over the delays in compensation.

One placard read, “Compensation is a healing process, huwag ninyo sirain (don’t mess it up).”

“Aya pagnin ami aya na justice for IDPs (internally displaced persons) kami. Began iran so masisinganin ami, anami kaginiki aya. Di kami ran si pamraki pamraki ka manosiya kami. Ano matago so human rights,” said Fahmiya Asum, a resident of Sabala Manaw.

(What we are asking for is justice for us, IDPs. They should not lie to us. We are human beings. Where are our human rights?)

Asum appealed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to heed their call, intervene, and expedite the process to ease their suffering.

Asum also called on local leaders in Marawi City and Lanao del Sur to assist them, promising electoral support in return.

“If the leaders help us, we will support their candidacy. We, the voters of Marawi City, will back them,” she said.

Montila said the mass actions would continue until the MCB provides a clear response. He warned that next time, the demonstrators plan to stage a camp-out outside the MCB office until their demands for immediate compensation are addressed.

The MCB has yet to respond to Rappler’s request for comment as of this posting. We will update this report once a statement is issued. – Rappler.com