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Dansalan College Foundation, Inc A Continuing Journey

INTRODUCTION This story was written in the context of the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi, Lanao del Sur between Philippine government security forces and affiliated militants including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups. The Philippine Government launched an offensive in the city to capture a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group, who then opened fire and asked reinforcement from the Maute group. On 23 May 2017, the Maute group occupied several buildings in the city and set fire to Saint Mary's Church, Ninoy Aquino School, and the Marawi Cathedral, taking a priest and several churchgoers hostage. This prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare Martial Law in the whole of Mindanao the day after. On the same day, the Maute group attacked Dansalan College, burned five (5) buildings, occupied the campus, set it up as a vantage point, and eventually caused the destruction of thirteen (13) more structures - wreaking havoc to many lives and irreparable damage to properties. Seven (7) Dansalan College personnel are held hostage until now. It was an emotional experience looking at the photos of DCFI then - knowing that everything we have seen then were the result of dream time and sleepless nights, of passion and commitment, of industry and frugality, and of a lot of sweat, blood and tears... This is a story told - not without pain and sadness - but also of hope that Dansalan College will rise from the rubble and restore to wholeness the fragments of many broken lives. Just like when a Peace Garden was created after a thousand mahogany trees in the agricultural farm were cut and burned, we can still nurture another garden where a thousand flowers shall bloom. We share this with a prayer for peace in the world - no matter how elusive it has been.

Let us pray for the end of the Marawi conflict, and for peace in various parts of the world, peace that will transcend all earthly barriers, and peace that will last through generations to come.

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MARAWI CITY

Lake Lanao viewed from a vantage point, the rooftop of a building in Dansalan College

Marawi City, located on the shores of Lake Lanao, is the capital city of the province of Lanao del Sur. The people of Marawi are called the Maranaos and speak the Maranao language. They are named after Lake Lanao. Marawi was known as Dansalan, meaning “a place where ships anchor”, when it served as the capital of Lanao province from 1907 to 1940. (World Heritage Encyclopedia)

The Moro people had consistently resisted colonial rule, which they see as a threat to their survival and identity as a people. The Spaniards tried but never succeeded in subduing and converting the Muslims. So were the the Americans and the Japanese. Centuries of conflict have led to deep mutual suspicions. Muslims see Christians as bullies and landgrabbers eager to destroy Islam; Christians view Muslims as treacherous, vengeful, cruel, and ruthless.

However, in spite of historical hostilities, some missionaries succeeded in making a difference, bridging gaps, and overcoming suspicions, discrimination and hatred and whose commitment, determination and dedication would influence future relations among Christians and Muslims. Dr Frank Charles Laubach (1884-1970)) came to the Philippines with his wife Effa Seely in 1915. He was a Congregational Christian who developed interest in the Philippines, especially on the Moro people and on the relations between Muslims and Christians. While working among Muslims in Lanao, Dr Laubach developed the "Each One Teach One" literacy programme, which eventually spread in various parts of the world and was used to teach millions of people to read in their own language.

Dr Laubach established base in Dansalan in 1940. In June 1941, the Madrasah High School opened with 23 students, among them the children of prominent religious leaders and politicians. Unfortunately, the school had to close when the Second World War broke out in December 1941.

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DANSALAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC (DCFI)

Dansalan College Foundation, Inc (DCFI) traces its beginning to the early literacy work of Dr Frank Laubach. Established in 1950, DCFI was duly recognized by the government and remained as the only Christian school that operated in the Islamic City of Marawi. Eventually, the college served as the premiere institution of the province and produced some of the best leaders of Lanao del Sur. Before the siege it had a 99% Muslim student population.

The sprawling campus with trees all around

Over 60 years of hard work and struggle, amidst intermittent wars and conflicts, Dansalan College gained recognition for its academic achievements and progressively expanded physically. Its buildings and grounds, surrounded by ancient shady trees, served as a beautiful sanctuary of peace for students, teachers, parents and guests.

Laubach Hall

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Integity Hall Hamm Hall

Elementary School Building

Information and Comunication Technology Building

Faculty Dormitory

Canteen and oooperative store

The library at the 2nd floor of Laubach Hall

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Programmes and services included: 1. Formal Education 2. Community Extension Service 3. Health Services 4. Social Development Research

(Photo: Yo S) Students (above) and alumni (below)

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History of Violence

DCFI has a share of the history of violence in Marawi City. Former CEOs of the school Rev Lloyd Van Vactor (his wife Maisie died while he was in captivity) and Mr Eulalio Maturan were kidnapped. Dr Fedelinda Tawagon, the current President, also experienced harrassment.

In the aftermath of the last spate of environmental violence, with the deliberate destruction of a thousand mahogany trees in the agricultural farm, Dansalan College decided to create a peace garden.

The campus became a haven of peace with resplendent flowers and shady trees. Students tended to sit quietly under the trees to study and pray during Muslim prayer times. Mothers would sit in the grass and socialize while waiting for their children. It never occured to anyone that all of these would one day be gone...

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THE MARAWI SIEGE In the afternoon of May 23, 2017, elements of the Maute group forcibly entered the premises of Dansalan College. They burned the administration building which had the offices and library, the science laboratory, the chapel, and eight (8) housing units for faculty and staff. Academic and financial records, desktop computers, laptops, tables, chairs, athletic equipment and paraphernalia, piano, keyboard, musical instruments and various other school items as well as the collection from enrollment for two days, amounting to about Php 1.2 million, were also razed by fire.

Dansalan College burning in the evening of 23 May (Photo: Norodin Alonto Lucman)

It was the week of enrollment so the teachers were mostly on campus except for some who were attending seminars elsewhere. During the assault on the campus, the teachers, staff and some family members were able to secure a place in one of the buildings. After a while, many decided to leave. The twenty five (25) teachers who remained in the building were able to escape the next day. Among those who left, forty two (42) were kept safe by a Muslim family but seven (7) were taken as hostages. As fighting escalated, the 42, hungry and sick remained trapped in their hiding place. They were rescued by Philippine Marines weeks after. Unfortunately, the 7 are still held hostage, their whereabouts unknown. In the ensuing days, the Maute group used Dansalan College as their stronghold, its high structures as machine gun nests and snipers’ vantage point. All the remaining structures were vandalized, and because of their presence, the buildings became the target of military airstrikes.

DCFI buildings the day after

All the buildings and structures in the campus -18 in all - were destroyed by fire and airstrikes.

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The campus and the ravaged structures. The building with the red roof on the right was also later destroyed

After over a month, Dansalan College was liberated by government forces, but its buildings were already reduced to empty shells.

Photo: Mindanao Hour

Photo: Scout Ranger Books Photo: New Marawi City Pulse

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EMERGENT CONCERNS

The tremendous wreckage on the structures and physical plant as well as the situation of some personnel still in danger zones made it impossible for Dansalan College to hold classes in June, the official start of the Academic Year 2017-2018. This means the displacement of about 2,000 students and nearly 100 teachers and employees.

Many families sought refuge in Iligan City, which is only 31 kilometers away from Marawi City. The evacuees included the teachers and students of Dansalan College.

Those who were rescued found themselves confronted with various other issues brought about by forced displacement and sudden unemployment. Homelessness, malnutrition, hunger and illnesses are but among the resultant problems. Those who have families elsewhere decided to leave, but most of them stayed in Iligan City hoping to be resettled and employed as soon as DCFI opens classes. INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN

Some initiatives have been taken to deal with the crisis, among them

1. Creation of a crisis management team 2. Assessment of the situation - looked into the situation/safety of personnel; assessed the extent

of damage to lives and properties. 3. Crisis intervention

a. Consulted with experts to analyze the situation and come up with strategies and possibilities to rescue those trapped in Marawi.

b. Coordinated with local govenment units to find ways to deal with the crisis. c. Arranged transport and facilitated the rescue of personnel. d. Attended to the evacuees and their families. e. Enjoined churches, organizations and groups to lend support. f. Coordinated with institutions to provide psycho-social intervention/conduct trauma

healing sessions with survivors/evacuees. 4. Meetings/Consultations

a. With the Board of Trustees to determine steps to be taken b. With faculty, parents and students to provide update on the situation and possible steps

to be taken c. With the Department of Education for permit to open the Iligan campus and to

negotiate late opening of classes 5. Assessment/Planning

a. Assess needs b. Draw up plan c. Set priorities d. Determine steps to be taken

6. Resource Generation 7. Networking

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DCFI ILIGAN CITY CAMPUS

Three years ago, Dansalan College started the construction of a structure in Iligan, fulfilling a longtime dream to establish a campus in the city. (see photo of Iligan campus)

The first to be moved were the documents and resources of the Research Center. Started by the historian Dr Peter Gowing, it remains as the richest repository of resources on Christian-Muslim relations (the MSU library was burned down years ago) and continues to bring in researchers and scholars from many countries around the world. The center aims to contribute to the easing of tensions and the promotion of peace and justice among Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths.

The Master Plan

The gate (Photo: Explore Iligan PH); the main building still under construction

In its meeting in May, seeing that it is virtually impossible to continue operation in Marawi, the Board of Trustees decided to open the Iligan campus. This is also in response to the plea of parents to begin to hold classes there this school year. However, the present structure can only accommodate 600 students. There is an urgent need to upgrade existing facilities.

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MOVING FORWARD The plan is to rehabilitate Dansalan College, restore operation and enable it to fulfill its ministry in formal education in a multi- faith, multi-cultural context. More significantly, to continue serving an interfaith community in spite of historical conflicts. It includes the rehabilitation of personnel, mainly to provide salary assistance until classes resume or when they find other jobs, and the procurement of basic materials, equipment and various other resources to enable the school to operate soon and meet the deadline set by the Department of Education. The plan requires resources to meet emergent needs that include:

1. salary assistance to displaced personnel until classes resume or until they find employment elsewhere;

2. library books and materials (encyclopedias, references, atlases, dictionaries, professional books in all subject areas, periodicals, dictionaries, professional books, general collection, Aseana Collection...);

3. instructional materials/textbooks for the various subject areas for the different levels (K-12) - science, mathematics, social studies, science, language, livelihood, vocational and technical courses, values education, physical education, music and arts...;

4. four (4) science laboratory rooms - Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Math; one (1) kindergarten room;

5. at least 10 computers for the IT laboratory; and five (5) computers for the administration/ finance offices; and projector for the audio-visual room;

6. at least 500 chairs, 20 tables for faculty, book shelves…; 7. athletics equipment and musical instruments for music and arts (the piano and keyboards,

kulintang and other musical instruments were burned); 8. cafeteria; 9. dormitory for faculty and staff; and 10. school bus

And, in the long term,

1. structures that will help fulfill the requirements and standards for recognition and accreditation as an educational institution; and

2. to finish the construction of the convention center that will eventually contribute to the sustainablility of Dansalan College (see Master Plan)

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ACTS OF SOLIDARITY

We are grateful for the varying expressions of love and solidarity from churches, alumni, individuals and groups all over the world – phone calls, text messages, FB posts, prayers, letters of concern and support, visits, facilitating the release and transport of those who were trapped in Marawi, concerts in Geneva, dinner in Davao, food and other relief items for evacuees... Through the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, partners in the United States, Canada, and in other countries have committed support.Global Ministries and United Evangelical Mission (UEM)sent immediate assistance. In the Philippines, churches and educational institutions, associations and networks have extended support, not only financially, but also through forms of psycho-social intervention.

All these helped ease the pain and the great sense of loss, insecurity and vulnerability, and inspired us to move forward and continue with the ministry entrusted to us.

We continue to appeal to your sense of generosity and solidarity at this critical time. Let us pray for the safety of the teachers still held hostage by the terrorists, and the others who have been forcibly displaced and are now without jobs, still others without homes. Let us pray for the end of the Marawi conflict, and for peace in various parts of the world, peace that will transcend all earthly barriers, and peace that will last through generations to come. Let us reach out to one another in love.

EDNA ORTEZA DR FEDELINDA TAWAGON Executive Director President CREATE-UCCP Dansalan College Foundation, Inc