PH Highlights Marawi Recovery at the UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism

Secretary Clarita Carlos, PhD, shares updates on the Philippine measures to help victims of terrorism at the Marawi Siege at the United Nations Headquarters on 08 September 2022. (New York PM photo)

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK 19 September 2022 – National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos headed the Philippine delegation to the first ever United Nations Congress of Victims of Terrorism and highlighted the Philippines’ experience in providing assistance to victims of terrorism at the Marawi Siege during the two-day Congress on 08 and 09 September at the United Nations Headquarters in New York .

The Congress, convened under the auspices of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, is themed "Advancing the Rights and Needs of Victims of Terrorism” and aims to adopt a victim-centric approach to countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism. More than 600 participants, including around 100 victims participated in the event.

“The Philippines has enacted several legislations in order to address the welfare of victims of terrorism. This included the enactment of 2020 Anti-Terrorism law, which replaced the 2007 Human Security Act as the country’s primary anti-terrorism law,” said NSA Carlos in her statement.

She added that under the law, the Anti-Terrorism Council is mandated to implement programs “to prevent the dehumanization of victims of terrorism and other causes of radicalization.” The National Security Adviser also mentioned the recent passage of the Marawi Compensation Act which mandates the provision of compensation to 2017 Marawi Siege survivors as well as the existencece of Task Force Bangon Marawi which is an inter-agency body mandated to rehabilitate the city of Marawi.

NSA Carlos also noted the work of other government agencies in providing socioeconomic and psychosocial support for Marawi survivors, including trauma processing and healing interventions; and in establishing the Marawi Rehabilitation Program (MRP) to harmonize efforts to provide financial assistance for the physical rehabilitation and socioeconomic support for the Marawi victims and in capacitating the Marawi farmers through the provision of farming equipment, infrastructure, and training to address the livelihood and economic needs of survivors and their families.

“President Ferdinand Marcos has stressed that his administration will focus on strengthening the economic development of the country, especially after the ravages of the COVID-19. I echo the President’s declaration that no economic growth will happen without order,” NSA Carlos emphasized. 

The Philippines also expressed that it will actively participate in promoting the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy to promote human rights and the rule of law. END

The Philippine delegation to the UN Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism at the General Assembly Hall at the UN Headquarters before the start of the opening session on 08 September 2022. (New York PM photo)

For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/.