Army honors Marawi fallen heroes

The Philippine Army marked the second anniversary of the liberation of Marawi and paid respects to its fallen heroes at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

The Philippine Army marked the second anniversary of the liberation of Marawi and paid respects to its fallen heroes at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“Today we pay tribute to the heroism of our fallen troops who paid the ultimate price in defense of our country. We remember (in this gathering) the spirit of victory and triumph of freedom,” said former Army chief and now Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista who graced the event last Friday.

“At this point, we have come a long way and have accomplished many things in dealing with terrorism and yet there are still so much to do. The battle against terrorism is a shared social responsibility. We salute all those who so gallantly and selflessly gave their lives. May their sterling qualities and noble deeds offered in pursuit of liberty never be forgotten,” he added.

Bautista was the commander of Joint-Task Force Marawi that was at the forefront of the government forces’ fight against the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group during the months of battle in Marawi City.

The former general was joined by Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Jesus B. Sarsagat as they led the dependents and comrades of the fallen Marawi heroes in a wreath-laying and flower offering ceremony at the Marawi Memorial Pylon.

It was on 17 October 2017 when President Rodrigo Duterte declared victory and Marawi already free from terrorists after being seized five months prior.

Malacañang had described the Marawi siege as “the most serious threat of violent extremism and radicalism in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.”

Around 160 government troops — combatants from the Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police — perished in the firefight and thousands more were wounded to liberate the war-torn city.