The lack of government support for Madrasah schools in Marawi City has provided a rich ground for recruitment of Maute terrorist group members, Marawi City Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra said on Friday. “Many of the recruits [of Maute]are from Madrasah schools which do not only educate about Islam, but also the Muslim way of life. Because of weak government presence in Madrasah schools, I would say there has been a gap, giving the Maute group the opportunity to finance these schools; inculcate principles and ideas deviating from the true essence of Islam,” Gandamra told journalists. DepEd-ARMM regional secretary John Amil Magno said several schools are now ready include Matampay Elementary School, Tampilong Elementary School, Datu Saber Elementary School, Basak Elementary School, Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School, Pandi Elementary School and Marawi City National High School. Lumbac Madaya is one of the villages most affected by the five-month-long clashes between government troops and the Islamic State-inspired Maute group.

Source: Manila Times November 24, 2017 13:30 UTC