MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--Exactly half a decade has already passed and the Islamic City here is once again remembering the five-month battle against the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) which eventually came out victorious, leading to its liberation on October 17, 2017.

Tagged as “KAPANANADEM: Remembering the Liberation of Marawi,” the weeklong commemoration began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Heroes Wall in Camp Ranao to pay homage to 168 soldiers who paid the ultimate price and lost their lives during the infamous warfare.

An opening program followed wherein government officials rendered their messages of peace to advocate for security, order, and justice in the locality.

They highlighted that the commemoration of the 5th anniversary of their freedom from terrorists who attempted to take control of the city aimed to reflect on vital lessons, especially for the displaced residents, so that never again will they allow any external and internal force to sweep away their peace and progress. 

“What happened in Marawi five years ago concerns not only national violent extremism and our internal security. What happened to Marawi is a fundamental concern of every community and our future. Rebuilding Marawi strikes at the very heart of ensuring human security where every person feels safe and trusts,” said Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Chairperson Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. in his relayed message.

The Marawi Civil Society Organizations Convergence Group and Marawi Sultanate League both commended all the efforts poured in to materialize a successful rehabilitation of the city.

Various livelihood aids were likewise handed over by government offices and development partners to their rightful beneficiaries which included the training allowance, cash grants, livelihood equipment, and community-based livelihood stores, among others.

With the successful kick-off of the commemoration, the government assured that it will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the city’s return to progress. 

“Ang gobyerno ay patuloy na magtatrabaho para sa rehabilitasyon ng Marawi at aming gagawin lahat ng aming makakaya upang sa wakas ay makamit muli ng lungsod ang dati nitong kinang at kaunlaran,” said Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Chairperson Sec. Jose Rizalino Acuzar who is also the concurrent chairman of the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM).

[The government will continuously work for the rehabilitation of Marawi and we will do what we can so that the city will attain its shine and improvement again.]

Meanwhile, Mayor Majul Gandamra underscored that people here continued to be resilient and determined as they strived to move on and recover from the past trauma.

He further urged implementing agencies that still have pending programs to fast-track and complete their projects for the benefit of the entire city. 

“I call upon the implementing agencies with unfinished and delayed projects related to the rehabilitation of Marawi City to step up their efforts to finish the said projects in the soonest possible time because these projects are urgently needed by the city and its people,” said Gandamra.  (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)