Marawi’s fallen soldiers remembered on 2nd anniversary of conflict

The valiant soldiers who offered their lives for Marawi City's liberation from terrorists in 2017 were commemorated at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig during the second anniversary of the start of the five-month conflict on Thursday.

“By commemorating the lives of uniformed personnel who perished during the siege of Marawi City, civilians and uniformed personnel alike, we remind the Nation that together as in one people, one nation, in the name of God, the Filipino can and the Filipino is invincible,” said former Joint Task Force Marawi commander and incumbent Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista in a speech.

More than 160 soldiers and policemen were remembered in a holy mass and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Marawi Pylon in the cemetery.

Family members of the fallen troops were also present.

Two years ago, members of the ISIS-inspired Maute Group besieged the Islamic City. The firefight lasted for five months, claiming lives of government security forces and some civilians, and displacing thousands of families.

Task Force Bangon Marawi chairperson Eduardo del Rosario said that the government targets to complete the rehabilitation efforts in December 2021.

Clearing of unexploded pieces of ordnance in the main battleground is ongoing while the massive demolition of bullet-ridden structures is expected to start in June.

Residents will be allowed to start rebuilding their houses inside the most affected area in July. — BM, GMA News