Army pays tribute to Marawi siege casualties nine years on

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Army's 4th Infantry Division held a flag-raising ceremony at Camp Evangelista on Monday to commemorate the heroism and sacrifice of servicemen and women who fought during the five-month siege of Marawi City in 2017.

The ceremony recognized over 1,500 military and police personnel who were either killed or wounded during the protracted battle against Islamic State-aligned militants that gripped the Muslim-majority city from May to October 2017. The siege became one of the largest security incidents in the southern Philippines in recent years, drawing national attention as government forces worked to dislodge entrenched extremist fighters from urban terrain.

The commemoration underscored the military's commitment to honoring those who lost their lives or sustained injuries during the intense combat operations. The event served as a reminder of the human toll of the conflict and the sacrifice made by personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police who responded to contain and resolve the crisis.

Monday's observance is part of ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of the Marawi siege and ensure that the contributions of fallen and wounded service members are not forgotten by succeeding generations.