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MARAWI CITY — On December 7 and 8, 2023, Bangsamoro Members of Parliament (MPs), Deputy Speaker Lanang Ali, Jr. and Deputy Floor Leader Mary Ann M. Arnado, in partnership with MP Eddie M. Alih and MP Ramon Piang, Sr. and staff, visited the funeral wakes and condoled with families of the victims of the bombing attack in the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Marawi campus.
Conveying the profoundest sympathy from Chief Minister Ahod Balawag “Al-Haj Murad” Ebrahim and the Parliament Speaker Ali Pangalian Balindong, the delegation personally visited the wakes of Riza Daniel Ramos in Tangub City, Junerey Taub Berbante in Iligan City, Evangeline Sarces Aromin in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, and Janin Orcia Arenas in Balabagan, Lanao del Sur.
From the short time that they have interacted with the families of the victims, the delegation from the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) was able to get a glimpse on the precious lives of the individual victims. They are not just statistics on the number of deaths claimed by the senseless bombing last December 3. They were children of very loving parents, siblings, students, athletes and, most of all, faithful Catholics whose untimely death cannot be considered to be “they were just at the wrong place at the wrong time”.
As a matter of fact, as faithful Catholics, they were in the very right place at the very right time to hear the liturgical mass.
Riza Daniel Ramos was 49 years old and a mother of three children. She was from Capalaran, Tangub City. She had been working at MSU for over 10 years to support the studies of her daughter, Eldritz Daniel, who is currently taking up Medicine in the same university.
On that fateful day, she and her daughter joined the liturgical mass at the univsersity’s Dimaporo Gym where they were both hit by the bombing. Riza Daniel died instantaneously while her daughter sustained wounds and injuries and is currently undergoing medical treatment. In Tangub City, the delegation from the Parliament were received by Edmar Ramos, the son of the deceased Riza Daniel.
Edmar lamented that what happened was totally unexpected and beyond their control. “Dili gyud nato matagna ang panahon, kung kanus-a ta kuhaon.” He is worried how his sister, Eldritz, can continue with her medical studies with the sudden death of their mother.
Evangelin Aromin’s remains was brought to Bansalan where her parents have retired just before the Marawi siege in 2017. She was 31 years old and single. She was a teacher at the College of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (CSPEAR). Evangelin was athletic and was an excellent basketball player for someone not so tall, her father, Mr. Aromin recalled.
Victims’ families suffer consequences of bombing attack on a Sunday worship
Evangelin and her brother Aquino Aromin were survivors of the Marawi siege in 2017. They did not leave their home at MSU for five long months. Evangelin’s parents used to work at MSU, and settled and raised their family there for 40 years. Mr. Aromin said that his children are practically Maranaos. They were born and raised in Marawi and were very close with the Maranaos. Lahat kami magkakaibigan sa MSU, mapa Christian man o Muslim.
“We all take care of each other and it pains us to see this situation happening again after the deep trauma that we had all experienced during the Marawi siege,” he said.
Junerey Barbante, 26 years old, was a Business Management graduate and a resident of MSU together with his entire family. He was second among three siblings and was the only son of Roselyn and Ireneo Barbante. He was a softball player and the assistant coach of the University softball team. His two siblings, Jhona and Irene Rose, also finished their studies MSU. Junerey’s mother, Roselyn Barbante fondly recalled that Junerey’s “barkadas” (peers) were mostly Muslims. “Matagal na kami sa Marawi City at babalik pa rin kami sa Marawi sa kabila ng nangyari dahil ito na ang tahanan namin,” he remarked.
Janin Arenas, 18 years old, was a freshman student taking up Entrepreneurship. She was only in her fifth month at MSU when she was hit by the bomb explosion. Janin was the second among four siblings. She hailed from Balabagan, Lanao del Sur. Janin was looking forward to Christmas break so that she could already return back home to her family. Her sister Joan recalled that her last conversation with her was about the Christmas gift that Janin was going to bring home for her baby brother. Janin was a thoughtful and loving sister and very hardworking.
Janin’s mother had to work in Riyadh so that she can support the schooling of her children who were simultaneously studying in college. Janin’s father, Bonifacio Arenas, said that: “Nakapasa si Janin sa scholarship exam sa MSU-Marawi, at kumuha ng BS in Entrepreneurship. Gusto niya talagang mag-aral sa MSU-Marawi dahil sa scholarship. Limang buwan pa lang siyang nag-aaral sa MSU.”
After hearing the painful stories from the bereaved families, we all returned back to our workstations with a heavy heart but at the same time, it was heartwarming to realize how important it was to be able to demonstrate compassion and solidarity in the face of unspeakable tragedy. By personally reaching out to the affected families, we acknowledge their profound loss and provide a sense of comfort and community during their darkest hours. (/)