A ‘messy-happy’ encounter in Maguindanao

It was early morning of March 16, 2015, the Theology instructors and OSAD group made their way from Davao City to Mamasapano, Ampatuan and Talayan, Maguindanao to extend UIC’s vision of helping others particularly to those displaced Muslim brothers and sisters who became victims due to on-going war between AFP and MILF against BIFF.

We arrived 11am of that day in Ampatuan, Maguindanao and made a short briefing in the Tactical Command Post with the Philippine Army’s Captain Maniago Macalintagui (INF) PA and his men who will help us distribute the goods. There were two sites identified by the PA that need any help they can get.

When we were all ready and set, we started our journey to the specific locations as identified by the PA (Phil. Army). Along the way, we encountered a lot of checkpoints with APV and soldiers almost every kilometer up to the identified areas. When we arrived at the first evacuation site in Talayan, we saw the real situation of our Muslim brothers and sisters there—a lot of them are women, children and of old age.

At the evacuation site, a less than 2×2 meters shanty covered with their ‘malongs’ as their roof, walling and flooring became a new home for each of the family. These shanties covered the long sides of the road for not less than 400 evacuees. The team started to distribute the relief goods one by one to each family in their shanty. The team also handed down some sets of school supplies for the little children there and we saw how happy those children when they received it. Out of their joy and excitement, they immediately used the set of school supplies and made a few drawings on the paper.

After a few hours, we finished distributing some goods on the first site and then decided to proceed immediately to the next evacuation site. Another more than 10 kilometers of travel, we arrived at the second identified site. Same situation but more than a thousand evacuees are situated there. It took us a few hours more to unload all what we have left in the container van. It was pass 3PM already when we finished distributing the goods. Then we headed back to the Tactical Command Post at the Capitol in Ampatuan, Maguindano for our late chow (lunch).

It was a tiring task for our team and for the group of Philippine Army who helped us but it was indeed a fulfilling kind of experience. It was ‘messy’ because we got out from our comfort zone and sacrificing our body from the high temperature heat of the sun that even brought us fighting against heat stroke and even forgetting that we haven’t take our lunch yet. But on the other hand it was a ‘real-happy’ experience on our part because we saw that even though it was just a little effort and sacrifice, at least we brought a help that would ease the inner pain and struggles on those victims of arm conflict.

It was indeed a ‘MESSY-HAPPY’ ENCOUNTER in Maguidanao because of the great feeling of fulfillment and inner joy out of service on our part to have that wonderful opportunity to offer help to our Muslim brothers and sisters who are deep need of any help from all of us as a human being and as a children of God.

This out-reach effort was spearheaded by the UIC Community under our dear School President Sister Maria Marissa Viri, RVM. Through Engr. Leonardo Clarin as the Head of the OSAD office along with Mrs Anaflor Sacupayo, Neil John Galagar and the Theolgy instructors spearheaded by Mrs Flordelis Sedo with Jasmin Emia, Joey Requiso, Teodoro Caballero Jr., Eugene dela Torre and Rene Mahinay. We are very grateful also for the systematic COORDINATION with the Philippine Army under the Command of Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, PA Commanding General 6th Infantry Division, Major Arthur Catubig, Admin Officer and Major Dante Gania (INF) for their all out support in this cause wherein they provided us with transport truck and security. Also with the Phoenix Publishing Company who extended their generosity in providing us a transportation unit with a driver. (UIC)