During the height of the conflict in Marawi,
what the residents immediately thought about is how to avoid danger and escape this city.
All the ways going out of the city are dangerous for civilians and soldiers alike.
I thought that he would accompany us because we're the first batch to be evacuated from there
but then Brother John stayed behind.
He said that he would stay behind because not all the brethren are evacuated yet.
I couldn't leave the brethren in the evacuation center.
They understood me and even my children,
though they cried because I was left behind,
I told them, "Don't cry, we'll see each other again."
In this edition of "Paninindigan", know about the story of Brother John Pacquiao
as he cared for the members of the Church Of Christ
despite the severe problems they experienced during the first week of the crisis in Marawi.
The center and only city in the province of Lanao del Sur - this is Marawi City.
Marawi is one of the most beautiful places that we, the Maranoi, could be proud of.
We like the place because of the cool weather. It's really nice there.
In this part of Mindanao,
Marawi is known for upholding quality education
through the Mindanao State University or MSU.
But in the blink of an eye,
the school formerly flocked to by students and businessmen was abandoned.
One of those who witnessed the crisis in Marawi was Brother John Pacquiao,
the minister of the Church Of Christ who is assigned there.
On the day of the conflict in Marawi, where were you then?
We were at the district office for class that Monday and afterwards,
the ministers who were assigned at the local congregations along with our district minister had a meeting
and in the afternoon we were at the office in the district.
So the next morning, we prepared to return to our assigned local congregation in Marawi City.
So when we left the terminal, that's when we noticed that there's something happening above.
The way to Iligan was descending, while [the road to] Marawi was going up.
We noticed, one of the passengers in the vehicle who was already crying
and told us that there was shooting there in Marawi.
That was around 1 in the afternoon as we were headed up there.
So we didn't have any idea,
and the vehicle was already headed towards Marawi until we reached that part of Baluin.
That was when we received a text message from the brethren.
They said that there was encounter between the military and the Maute group.
Until we reached somewhere in Saguiran which was already inside Lanao del Sur.
After that town is Marawi city already.
That was when the brethren texted me again saying,
Brother John don't continue going here because there's a war in Marawi.
When they said war escalated, my thoughts were the military didn't contain that instance.
I told my wife that we would continue until the military stops our vehicle;
we would really go there because the brethren are there.
I told my wife that gunfight there are normal because we were familiar with the place.
Because in their culture it happens when there are families in conflict with each other.
They have what they call 'redo' which was what we were avoiding -
that we get caught in the middle.
The driver was quite brave.
He told the passengers that the trip would continue because his line was up to MSU.
So I was asking the brethren about where we could pass.
Could we go through Amai Pakpak?
They said, don't go there, that's where the gunfight was.
I thought about how close it was to the brethren,
because the Amai Pakpak Medical Center was up there,
that's the area of our local congregation and the brethren are there.
When we entered the center of the city,
I said to the driver that we'd get off here.
Here in the intersection going towards MSU and the city proper.
The brethren were already there, waiting for us.
So when we got off, I noticed the surroundings, it's very quiet.
That was around 3:30 in the afternoon.
It's not like that in Marawi, during those hours that was the height of traffic.
You almost couldn't see any people;
there were only few vehicles.
So there was nothing for us to ride on,
we walked from the intersection towards the local congregation.
I wasn't able to reach the area where the house of worship was
because the brethren there were told to evacuate.
Because there was a tendency that those who invaded the Amai Pakpak,
might climb up the military camp, the brethren, the houses and our house of worship were in the middle.
As dusk approached,
the family of Brother John and many of the members of the Church
were among the hundreds who were cramped at the military evacuation center.
The first thing we did was to gather them all for a prayer.
The content of our prayer was for our safety,
from that instance and to help us to have strength and courage to face that ordeal.
In our prayer which we held every 6:00 in the evening there in the evacuation center,
even those who are not members of the Church Of Christ would also join,
they were there with us and joined us so we really grew in number.
Though many were members of the Church we were more than 200 in number
including the non-members of the Church.
So anytime that we would have a group prayer from that day of Tuesday,
it continued on so long as we were there.
They would also join us and see how the brethren reacted to that event.
They would see that we would all gather and pray to our Lord God.
Even though we would hear the gunshots from both sides
or we witness from many others who are not members of the Church Of Christ, that they lose hope
but because of us members of the Church who were there that they see that we are courageous,
those who are not members of the Church Of Christ
whom we were with in the evacuation center also gained their confidence.
There were two sites where the members of the Church Of Christ were gathered.
The evacuation center at the center of Marawi,
and the compound of the Mindanao State University.
On the 2nd day, that was Wednesday,
Early at dawn I thought about the worship service to be held at the MSU extension.
At the main campus of the Mindanao State University.
So I immediately called our District Minister, Brother Ludy.
I told him about the situation.
The instruction from the Church Administration was to do what was necessary.
I told them that the brethren could be gathered by noon.
During the height of the war in Marawi,
it was Brother John who coordinated with us.
He would call us and ask how we were.
And he would tell us about the situation and what was happening there.
Our worship service was transferred to the house of the head of the choir of MSU Extension,
Sister Imelda Magno.
Thursday, the day of the worship service of the brethren gathered at the center of Marawi City.
When we asked permission from the assigned soldier there at the reserved command,
that we are going there, they allowed us.
So I immediately informed the brethren that we could hold the worship service in the house of worship.
What happened was, from the evacuation center, all of us went together.
The soldiers also noticed us because many returned
to the evacuation area and then we went to the house of worship.
So our brethren all went to their homes and they all prepared.
We went to our homes and we changed our clothes [appropriate] for worship.
We performed our duty to conduct the worship service.
That moment was quite quiet because it's like the gunfire ceased.
And we also noticed that there were many policemen in the area near the house of worship.
We also asked permission from their commanding officer
so that they won't be surprised why there are many people that suddenly came up in that area.
When they learned that we are members of the Church Of Christ and we would hold our worship service,
the commanding officer also did us good.
He commanded the men of PNP to guard the perimeter of the house of worship.
When we went there,
we weren't afraid because I believed the Lord God that He is there with us.
That He would guide us.
For me, that was my first experience in my life to officiate a worship service like that.
That we were surrounded by a great danger.
So I really took courage and prayed to the Lord God to help us properly conduct the worship service.
In the middle of that worship service,
we were once again tested.
There was a loud explosion and gunfire.
The location of our house of worship was in the line of sight of the rebels.
Because first of all, our house of worship was located at the base of the military camp.
So the gunfire was aimed at the military.
So during the worship service, when we heard gun shots in the middle of the sermon,
there were gun shots again,
what was in my mind was, Father don't allow any bullet to hit the house of worship.
Through the mercy of our Lord God,
we were able to conduct the worship service peacefully.
And we truly felt His power especially during the singing of hymns.
You could really feel the hearts of the brethren in their wholehearted hymn singing to the Lord.
And during the prayer,
you could really feel the eagerness of the brethren to ask the Lord God for safety,
for His guidance and protection in that situation.
After we received the teaching,
we were strengthened because we know that God will not forsake us.
We were really strengthened because we really felt that the Lord God was there
in our midst during the worship service.
In that event, on that day,
it was only us the members of the Church Of Christ who had that kind of worship service.
After the gathering,
they once again faced the trials waiting at the evacuation center.
On May 23, 24 and 25 was the height, the 103rd brigade was close to being infiltrated by the rebels.
Although you may be at the evacuation center you only have a 50-50 percent chance because for me,
although it turned out okay, the area was secure but we couldn't escape from bullets.
At the same time, from where we were standing either at the center or at the grandstand,
we are in range of the enemy fire.
You could really feel the sound of the bullets over your head.
So if there was a gun fight, the people would almost crawl and seek cover.
In the fourth day of battle,
it was difficult to leave Marawi because of the great number of evacuees and the shortage of vehicles.
There were no more public vehicles to board - only private ones and many were getting off.
And we also saw people who were walking, the Maranaos.
Maranaos, that's what they are called - our Muslim countrymen who live here.
Our brethren refused to walk because they were being stopped on the way
and would ask something in Maranao which if they cannot answer,
that might be the end of their life.
Despite the various hindrances, many of the brethren were evacuated.
The vehicles from the district that were sent by our District Minister, Brother Luidito C. Raagas, arrived here.
We were aboard those vehicles; two mini buses fetched our brethren from Marawi City.
That was a great help.
Due to the great number of people evacuated who are members of the Church,
there are few who were left behind.
Because of this, Brother John remained.
Each day that passes, the conflict gets worse and worse in Marawi but why did you stay behind?
For me, as a minister, it was also taught to us in School,
and that was also taught to us by our Executive Minister
to always prioritize the welfare of the Church above your own benefit.
For me, fear was still there because I see the situation in our place.
She's a bit sad but I told her [my wife] that's my duty.
And I cannot leave the brethren, being left behind in the evacuation center.
They understood me and even my children,
although they cried because I was left behind,
I told them, "Don't cry, we'll see each other again."
I just thought that he needs to do that for the brethren,
so I think that God will not abandon him because what he is doing is for the sake of the Church.
I thought that he would join us because we were the 1st batch to be evacuated there,
but then Brother John stayed behind because he said that
not all the brethren were evacuated yet.
With what Brother John did, that he stayed for a long time in Marawi City
and also consoled the brethren.
Brother John gave a good example of faith to the brethren.
I admired his courage, not only his courage
but also his good will as a minister who was assigned in Marawi City.
I salute him.
He's not an ordinary civilian, he's not an ordinary member of the Church,
and he would stay behind to secure everyone.
During the time of sadness due to the temporary parting of ways because of the conflict in Marawi,
their regard for the holy Ministry all the more increased.
For me, in my prayers, I entrusted him to God.
To give him steadfastness, strength so that he could guide and lead the brethren in the local congregation.
Through the leadership of brother John, the gatherings and group prayers at the evacuation center were upheld.
Just like before, every 6:00 in the evening, we would pray.
We are thankful to our resident minister because he didn't neglect the brethren.
We would always pray.
We are thankful because we are truly near our Lord God.
As the danger worsens,
he all the more made the brethren under his care feel his love and concern for them.
That he would visit the brethren,
see how they were doing and his first priority is really the Church.
He comforts the brethren.
I admire Brother John for his concern for the brethren who were there in Marawi City,
although it was dangerous but he didn't leave the brethren.
He always oversees where they were.
There came a time that our resident minister fell ill
because of looking after us.
He was always there; he never left us
because his love is for the Church.
We would never forget his love for us.
On Saturday, after the worship service,
we were waiting for a bus that was supposed to return.
However, around 9:00 am, when they reached Amai Pakpak,
they weren't allowed to continue to the area
because the area they were passing through was no longer safe during that time.
Because there were rebels spotted around the area where they would pass through.
We refused to risk that moment to walk and just approach the buses
because the way we were to walk through was not safe because the rebels were already there.
I told them, let's wait for them to find another way.
Come Sunday, we heard news that there were vehicles coming up from Iligan City
that would bring military troops towards MSU Campus.
That was what we waited for to arrive.
After six days of being stuck in the middle of war,
the much-awaited moment came for them to leave Marawi
towards a place far from the center of conflict and danger.
When we were already on the vehicle,
all the brethren who were left behind before were now with me.
Immediately after we left, that was when I felt relief.
I'm thankful especially to our Father that we were headed towards Iligan.
He helped us; we overcame that situation when we were really close to danger, at the center of conflict.
When he got home, I was refraining myself from crying.
I'm glad to see him safe.
I am also thankful to God for keeping them safe, all the brethren.
They safely arrived here.
I'm really proud of him because for me, he fulfilled his duty as a minister in the Church Of Christ.
God will never forsake us, I really felt Him leading me, His guidance,
which was why in that situation nothing was impossible for us.
Everything became clear for us; we clearly saw what we should do.
As we are writing this story,
many of the brethren from Marawi are together in an evacuation center in Iligan City.
Anywhere they may be, they are always remembered and cared for by the Church Administration.
Brethren, let's prepare and we'll go to the house of worship.
Until now, my assignment is at the evacuation center.
Everyday I'm with them.
I always speak with them about what they need, about what bothers them.
We are thankful to him because even until now,
he didn't leave the brethren.
Just like before, may it be peaceful or there may be war,
the brethren remain active in worshiping the Lord God.
Fighting for their true faith.
Right now, we're here, continuously fulfilling our duties.
they're there in one area.
I converse with them and in officiating the worship services,
it's really spiritual especially during the lesson, it really fits the current situation.
In your experiences there, what served as a lesson for you and your ministry.
What I learned about this trial that came to our life is that we shouldn't lose hope
and you shouldn't lose faith in our Lord God.
Prayer can greatly help, it strengthens you.
Though you may be speaking with the brethren and you listen to their problems, what's on my mind is,
"Father please help us, the brethren, ease their problems, I couldn't give them any other thing.
What could I say to them?"
The guidance is there.
I was able to say things which I do not know,
I wasn't thinking about it but that's what I'm able to say and it gives them hope.
In our experience, our resolve to uphold our services to God no matter what happens is really for our good.
The truth is, about our brethren who were caught in the middle of the conflict,
when we prayed for them during our worship service and in our group prayer every night,
that was what we asked the Father, to help them escape.
And they were able to escape, through different ways, just like what we said, God will make a way for them.
Their experience in Marawi is already a part of their ministry.
They will remember for the rest of their lives
the result of completely trusting God and their resolve in fulfilling their sworn duty.
For us, what we experienced there in our local congregation or area
is one of the proofs that we have the true and living God.
He would never leave us in all our days.
Though we may be assigned in a more dangerous or more difficult place,
that's what we will still do;
we will entrust everything to God, our life, our divine election.
We will just trust and have faith in Him.
What I thought about
was I could all the more fulfill my ministry wherever the Church Administration might assign me;
it would not be something new.
May it be in a dangerous place and since I already have this experience,
it would no longer hinder me.
So those events are already an experience for me,
it will help me to enhance the quality of upholding my duty
and how I give importance to my right as a minister inside the Church Of Christ.
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