MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur — Eight years after the siege of Marawi, the southern Philippine city continues to bear the scars of urban warfare.
Reconstruction has reopened parts of the city once reduced to rubble, but reminders of the five-month battle remain.
A walk through the most affected area—dubbed “Ground Zero” during the fighting—reveals bullet-riddled walls, gutted buildings, and entire blocks left in ruin.
Many buildings in Marawi City continue to serve as scars of the siege. Drone shot: Arnel Tacson
Inside one destroyed structure, the words “safe zone” are scrawled in black paint across a wall: a haunting relic of a city under siege.
For many residents, however, the reminders go beyond shattered buildings.
Displacement, disrupted livelihoods, and the loss of loved ones still shape daily life long after the guns had fallen silent.
“The level of destruction is of course significant, and the level of reconstruction is low. That said, it exemplifies how quickly a conflict happens, how quickly the destruction happens, how quickly suffering is caused, and how long it takes to recover,” Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), told the Inquirer in an exclusive interview after her visit to Marawi on August 21.
The ICRC is a neutral and independent humanitarian organization that aims to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence.
“The message is that the people here who have gone through this conflict have suffered enormously. And they are still carrying the aftermath of this conflict. They don’t want to be forgotten,” she added.
Eight years after the Siege of Marawi, thousands of residents continue to stay in what were supposed to be temporary shelters following the conflict. Photo: Arnel Tacson
International humanitarian law (IHL)—also known as the rules of war—exists to protect those who are not, or are no longer, taking part in hostilities. It seeks to limit the effects of war for humanitarian reasons, setting rules on how wars are fought and who must be protected.
But as conflicts escalate around the world—from Gaza to Ukraine—questions about compliance with IHL are growing louder.
‘In crisis’
“International humanitarian law today is in crisis. There is no other way to describe this,” Spoljaric said.
The ICRC estimates that there are at least 130 active armed conflicts worldwide, with violations of the rules of war rising at an alarming pace.
For Spoljaric, this highlights the need to make respect for IHL a political priority. She stressed that obligations under IHL do not begin and end with conflict, as they require sustained commitment.
After all, the law is as strong as the political weight it is given by the leaders, she said.
ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric visits a community of internally displaced persons in Marawi. Photo: Arnel Tacson
“You budget for international humanitarian law. You make sure that your institutions are aligned, that your national legislation is aligned, that your courts have the capacity to follow up, that your soldiers are being trained, that your military strategies are being adjusted,” she explained.
“International humanitarian law offers a pathway back to peace. You have to invest in peace.”
Spoljaric also urged states to hold their allies accountable for violations, saying the responsibility to uphold IHL cannot stop at one’s borders.
For her, what is most needed is political will, a commitment from leaders not just during conflict but also in peacetime.
“Accountability is important, of course, at all levels, but [international] courts take a long time, and they don’t immediately remedy the suffering of the people,” she said.
“It’s much better to prevent the suffering and destruction in the first place. That’s why we need to invest in peacetime—to make sure that if a conflict erupts, we take all the necessary precautions to reduce the damage and reduce human suffering as much as possible. Because the more you do that, the faster you will be able to return to a functioning state and a functioning economy.”
Many buildings in Marawi City continue to serve as scars of the siege. Drone shot: Arnel Tacson
Marawi, eight years later
In the immediate aftermath of the siege, more than 369,000 people were displaced, according to the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program. Eight years on, thousands of residents remain in temporary shelters, based on government data.
More than 300 people, meanwhile, are registered as missing with the ICRC.
Spoljaric said addressing the needs of residents is an essential part of peacebuilding.
“If people don’t meet their needs, if they don’t have enough to eat, you will not have peace, you will not have a ceasefire. In the absence of this, nothing good can ever be installed,” she said.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., for his part, reaffirmed that the Philippines remains committed to upholding IHL as a foundation for peace, security, and human dignity.
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“Upholding international humanitarian law largely rests on the firm resolve of national governments. Ultimately, we bear the responsibility of translating international commitments into domestic policies and practices to protect the most vulnerable,” Marcos said during his meeting with Spoljaric.
