Previously, Duterte says sorry to the Maranaos for destroying their city to drive out the ISIS-affiliated Maute militants.
In response, Rolaiza Mimi Singayao, a Maranao woman based in Oman who is also doctor wrote a conscience-stricken open letter saying sorry to Duterte for failing to do her duty as an ordinary citizen that eventually led to the Marawi conflict robbing the President of the little rest he richly deserves.
Read the full text of the post below.
I AM SORRY, TOO.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Sir, you had repeatedly expressed apologies to Marawi City residents. Allow me to take my democracy and express my apologies, too.
1. I am very sorry, Mayor, that you have to be the one to apologize for the extremists’ attack, the military response and the resulting deaths, destruction and displacement in the community.
2. I am sorry that as a resident of Marawi, I was away, silent and complacent with the years-long, tell tale signs of extremism taking a hold of the city and especially of its young.
3. I am sorry for my absentmindedness and neglect in not able to express concerns consistently, nor help report or expose corruption, narcotics and narco-politics in the city.
4. I am deeply sorry that I was dismissive and failed to meaningfully support and involve myself with efforts by the Ulamahs to educate and warn communities of the scourge of extremism.
5. I am sorry to have been cold, distant and unbelieving to the voices of Moro ‘social scientists’ in the academe, government and NGOs.
I have this distaste and prejudice to ‘almost all intelligent talks, for career advancement sake’ impression I have of them.
All puna ng puna. The lot of articulate, chronic complainers and perennial non-supporters of true change.
You, Sir, represent change. We voted for you for the changes you spouse and yet, our intellectuals met these unfairly with raised eyebrows. Not trusting the majority decision. Waiting for you to fail. That is mine. My impression of them.
Sorry po, naumay ako sa mga akala kung maghahain sana ng tulong para lumakas pa ang bansang ito. Maling akala.
6. I am sorry that I completely lost my trust with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). When it was evident that the feudal leadership failed to make itself relevant, I turned deaf, blind and mute.
You, Sir, kept your faith in them.
Pero, wala pa rin po, ano?
7. Mayor, I am sorry that I got frustrated and disillusioned despite the efforts of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF) with the MNLF-Jikiri/Sema group.
Sobrang tagal, mahina ang dissemination ng developments. Wala kaming easy access to information.
8. I am truly sorry that despite the glaring need and challenge to unify, we, the Moro are so in conflict with and amongst ourselves, interests and future.
Naiisip ko, bakit kaya we thrive on our ‘separateness’? On being distrustful and suspicious? Moro with brilliant minds abound, riches in land and seas, beautiful culture and a history dyed with blood of martyrs. Blessings that are more than enough to stand proud and side by side to help built a nation. Still, the insistence to cuddle the differences and not fully support what is common for the common good.
It is very, very sad. It makes one angry, frustrated and demotivated.
9. I am sorry that we are not full participants to nation building. A lot are opportunists, corrupt and cry-babies. Despite some opportunities (Okey, kulang pero,meron), we cry non-inclusion. Yong kukunti that trickles to our regions are being siphoned off by leaders. And yet, we do not openly and consistently criticize or report/expose such bad governance. Sadly, most are too polite, afraid and forgiving. Maraming pabaya. Ayaw ma involve.
Sa iba, ang tapang tapang ng Moro, pero sa kapwa Moro, kahit mali na ginagawa, we excuse. Kasi, ka-pamilya, ka-lugar. Kasi kahihiyan namin.
Misplaced loyalties.
10. I am sorry that the situation in Marawi robs you of the little rest that you so much deserve.
If only I could take a day to carry your sadness, hurts, grief and misgivings, I would gladly do so.
Mr. President, Sir, I have learned my lessons and shall be a better daughter, citizen and defender of this country. You have shown us love of country and have taught us very well on owning tough decisions. Thank you very much po.
Rolaiza Mimi Singayao
OFW
Muscat, Oman
The ‘I am sorry too’ open letter touched the hearts of people who have read the post of the Maranao doctor.
Jhazz Claro wrote: “Hindi ko po kayo kilala mam. This touched my heart. I am from Manila, and my heart goes out to all of you hurting and suffering in Marawi. Mahigpit na yakap po sa inyo. Praying for peace and unity🙏🏻”
Joseph Delfin Tigaronita commented: “We must all unite as one…as Filipinos..as brothers and sisters..irregardless of religion..so we can achieve the peace we have been longing for..for the next generation. I love my country PHILIPPINES!”
Imelda Fiesta said: “Enlightening and heartfelt.I wish those son-of-guns that continue to speak ill of the achievements of the President will apologize as well.Puro sila paimbabaw at mababaw.They judge Duterte for his outer characteristics and literally defending the VP for picking up thrash disregarding the honor of her position and of her country.”
Nhora Asuque wrote: “Nakakatouch po yong message mo dra. Sana po mabasa eto lahat at maintindihan ng mabuti. Di po yong puro nega, puna, at sariling interest ang mananaig. Saludo po ako sa pagiging humility mo dra. We hope po to be united as one love, one family either Muslims or Christians and One nation to build us a Filipinos.. pa share po sa mensahe mo dra. Thank you po!😊😍😍”
Your thoughts?
I am deeply touched by this open-letter to our beloved President RRD… This is a sentiment that represents the millions of us… As for me, I say I AM SORRY TOO…
Im sorry dra.i just wanna ask permission to repost this
MA’AM Doctora ako ay yumakap sa islam 18 yrs ago. Kasama po sa dasal “dua” ko ang kapayapaan sa marawi at sa ibang bansa na may karahasan. Ang hiling ko din po na sana maging ganoon sa inyo kalawak at pag-intindi ng lahat ng pilipino para maging mapayapa at maunlad ang pilipinas. May ALLAH ta’ala grant us that peace. Ameen…
brilliant, eye opener and motivating expression of sympathy, grief and conviction to be part of the change…Yes, whats really sad about our moro bothers is they LET themselves tied in MISPLACED LOYALTY…..
Many Filipinos, near and far, in sum, have the same cry to UNITE for a better Philippines!!!
We need to unite support our president..this should happen now
Before its too late.this country is all we have mahalin natin to pamana natin to sa next generation im praying sana matapos ng gulo sobrang sakit ng sa puso ang mga balitang dumadaan sa news feed ko.kwawa nmn mga bata at matatanda sa evacuation center sana mka blik na cla..im a christian pro mhal ko kapatid kong muslim sana mtigil nato pls.
sana karamihan kung di man lahat ng mga filipino muslims ay katulad nyo ang paninindigan. saludo po ako sa inyo, dra. LET US BE UNITED, AND FIGHT CORRUPTION, DRUGS AND TERRORISM.
i was crying while reading your message maam…#PEACE#DU30isLove#ilovemycountry…
sana di lang po sa mga Moro sa Marawi ang sulat mo Dr Singayao, para sana sa lahat ito lalo na ung mga pulitikong pilit na pinagagalaw ang iilan upang i-destablize ang gobyerno at ginagamit lahat ng pwersa, maka-KALIWA, maka-KANAN at mga centrist. nakakalimutan na po nila ang pagiging makabayan dahil sa PERA na hindi naman nila madadala sa hukay at sa kanilang paroroonan, sa langit man o sa HELL. magkaisa na po sana ang lahat sa marubdod na adhikain ng ating pangulong DU30, at iwasan na po natin ang sakitan, kristyano man o muslim, kaliwa man o kanan.
I pray that many will be touch by this letter and utter a simple prayer from their heart.’
God let Marawi the city be free from the spirit of terrorism ”
For now that is all i can do for I am too is from my own country,serving other people here in the US.But my heart and thoughts goes too all the victims of this chaos.Im praying for our President that he may have all the strength and wisdom in leading our nation.
I pray that many will be touch by this letter and utter a simple prayer from their heart.’
God let Marawi city be free from the spirit of terrorism ”
For now that is all i can do for I am too is far from my own country,serving other people here in the US.But my heart and thoughts goes too all the victims of this chaos.Im praying for our President that he may have all the strength and wisdom in leading our nation.
Thank you mam for the message…. I really believe and trust our president.. So when he declares martial law,, i know without hesitation that it is thr best thing to do. Thats why i hate people especially outside mindanao who criticice the decision of the president… Pretending to care the bangsa moro people and the mindanaoans…. They should shut up..
A hugbto all ky brother and sister muslims and chrustians nd a kiss to our dear president Duterte who has also taught me now to love this country my nation Pinas…
Your courage Doctor, is quite commendable. Not many Meranaw would be able to speak up bravely as you did and express freely the deepest thoughts from the guts – the truth! If only all Meranaws share the same thoughts as you, Marawi would be the first ever, among ARMM region, to equal or go beyond progressive cities in the the Philippines. Sadly, none so far, among ARMM region, a barangay, a town, a city or province in general that really bloom economically. All there is – are goons, gold and guns of the powerful and influential. The have-nots remain in the fringes of poverty-stricken society trying to live day by day, keeping their body and soul intact with whatever can be put into their mouths just so to survive and continue to exist. I have lived in several places of ARMM…it is so sad that such rich-in-heritage and culture is so crippled because it is being abused by those who haves.
Kudos!.Bravo Mdam Doctor for bravely speaking out. . You hit it d nail right. That is exactly what needs to be realized & have been needed to be undedtood by all d brave Moros. . There is plenty that we can all live together peacefully like before in the olden days, when there were no ambitious idealogues yet. .That the Moros were not that deprived & poor for years have it not been for those greedy local leaders. . Sadly many are misled bcos they are missed educated.
You must be more publicly idolized for being a symbol of selfless Modern Filipina Muslim!
I got carried away emotionally – tears tears tears…
Nakakaantig ng puso ang lahat ng sinasabi mo mam.. hanga ako sa iyo dahil sa yong katapangan na supalpalin ang ibang kapwa natin Pilipino.. sana ganyan tayo lahat mag-isip, moro man o kristyano, mahirap o mayaman, may pinag-aralan o wala.. but the reality is different.. Tayo lang naman nag-aaway away, maski dito sa social media.. bakit di na lang tayo mag-poll ng ating mga kuro-kuro upang masuportahan ang nais na pagbabago ng ating pamahalaan na gusto rin nating makamtan..
Thanks Dra. We are touched of your message, it’s about time for us to unite weather we are Muslim or Christian, we are Filipino and proud to be filipino. We should work together as one for the good of all of us filipinos.