Army unveils Marawi murals for fallen soldiers at Libingan ng mga Bayani

The Philippine Army has commemorated the liberation of Marawi by paying tribute to the soldiers who died in the battle at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Taguig City.

Army chief Lieutenant General Rolando Bautista spearheaded the inauguration and the unveiling of the Marawi murals, as he and other Joint Task Force Commanders were joined by families of the fallen soldiers involved in last year's campaign against the pro-ISIS Maute group.

"Our valiant fallen heroes have already done their part and it is high-time for us to do ours. The road to victory is an arduous trek, but as long as we have the support of the people and community, nothing is impossible. Let us march in unison in drawing the same strength and bravery from their legacy of safeguarding the liberty and stability of our nation," Bautista said in his speech.

A wreath laying ceremony followed as a tribute to the 165 fallen soldiers of Marawi, while their families and fellow officer-friends offered flowers at the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."

Meanwhile, stories of last year's battle were shared and narrated by speakers who had experiences about the siege, thus causing emotions to fill the air.

In a statement, the Army reported that all the component units forming the Task Force Marawi were present, including representatives from the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police.

"Today’s event greatly shaped the defense and security posture of our country. The horrible crisis turned into an environment of opportunities which unites the Filipinos as a single force, which in the end earned the respect and admiration of the entire world," Major General Robert M. Arevalo, Vice Commander, Philippine Army said in his welcome remarks. — Jamil Santos/MDM, GMA News