For PCID Convenor, civic leader, and humanitarian advocate Samira Gutoc, the Marawi siege is not a distant memory. It is a lived experience and a continuing crisis. Speaking at a 2025 World Refugee Day panel titled “Stories of Displacement: Palestine & Beyond,” organized by the Palestine Collective and the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy at De La Salle University, Ms. Gutoc’s account of the Marawi siege served as a mirror that reflected cracks in the broken system of the Philippines. 

“There was no structural support to bring people, senior citizens, pregnant women to a form of transportation,” she says. “It was like a death march, with 6-12 hours of walking from Marawi to a place of light. From Marawi to a place of resettlement. From Marawi to a place where you can seek refuge and safety.” 

A native of Marawi herself, Samira Gutoc provides a firsthand account of the systemic neglect IDPs face in national policymaking. “There have been no structural laws to address displacement from calamity and conflicts between people,” she stressed, pointing to a critical gap in legislative protection and long-term support. 

Amid this silence, Ms. Gutoc finds importance in the role of interfaith dialogue, an essential tool in mending and uniting communities. “In Islam, love means that if you kill one person, it is as if you kill the whole of humanity. In Christianity, they say to love thy neighbor as thyself. In Jew, love yourself as if you love your neighbor.” Although these quotes come from different religious books, they all hold the same essence. “There is no difference between the three Abrahamic religions,” she added, highlighting humanity’s shared capacity for compassion, respect, and peace, despite diversity and differences.

Ms. Gutoc also recalled the story of Father Terisito “Chito” Suganob, a Christian priest held captive during the siege. Muslim leaders swiftly ordered his rescue, risking their lives to save someone of a different faith.  At the same time, Christian volunteers rushed into Iligan City, under martial law, to aid thousands of displaced Muslim evacuees. As a rescue volunteer herself, Ms. Gutoc saw these acts of courage and solidarity firsthand. These stories, she emphasized, show how interfaith action can persist even in times of war.

But displacement, she added, is not a singular event. “Displaced persons continue to be fundamental stories that we, and the youth, must continue to champion and rally,” she said. Displacement serves more than physical ties; it threatens the survival of identity, tradition, and culture. In Marawi, for example, weaving is more than an art form. It is a vibrant expression of resilience, history, and community. Yet, for many displaced children, the opportunity to learn this tradition is lost.

Thus, storytelling becomes an act of preservation and resistance. The voices of IDPs must not only be heard; they must be woven into the fabric of law and protected through deliberate action. Ms. Gutoc’s call is clear: justice must be rooted in compassion, and peace must be interlaced with faith. Only then can displaced communities begin to rebuild not just homes, but also lives.

The colloquium discussed the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), its challenges and prospects.

The main speaker was Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Commissioner Jose Iribani Lorena.

The discussants were Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) President Amina Rasul-Bernardo and Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) Executive Director Atty Benedicto Bacani.

The colloquium was held at the NDCP Honor Hall inside Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, in Quezon City.

More than 160 participants from the military, government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, the diplomatic corps and academe participated in the event. Members of the 54th Regular Course of the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) program also attended the event.

Commissioner Lorena highlighted the salient points of Republic Act No 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) including the features of the autonomous region like the parliamentary form of government, fiscal autonomy, and inclusivity.

Atty. Bacani emphasized the importance of commitment from the government and Muslim rebel forces to adhere to democratic process of attaining the goals of the BOL.

Meanwhile, Ms Rasul-Bernardo indicated the major challenges confronting the BOL namely, lack of fiscal autonomy, people empowerment, and violent extremism.

In his remarks, NDCP President Radm Roberto Q Estioko AFP (Ret) PhD MNSA said, “The signing of the BOL is not a panacea but rather an imperative to roll our sleeves to work together towards long-term approaches to the decades-old challenges in Southern Philippines.”

The Heneral Antonio Luna Colloquium Series, jointly organized by the NDCP, OSSSM-AFP and FSI, provides a platform for free academic discussion of issues affecting Philippine defense and security.

Self-assessment delivered by Hon. Teresita Quintos-Deles (Secretary, OPAPP) and Alternative assessment delivered by Ms. Amina Rasul (President, PCID).