In commemoration of the third anniversary of the liberation of Marawi City from the Maute terrorist group, the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines honored the personnel and some civilians who contributed greatly to the end of the war.
Among those awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Magalong is Dr. Isabel Cojuangco Suntay, who took the lead in helping the affected families and building a hope home.
AFP personnel were fought the Maute group until the very end were honored.
These include Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, Brig. Gen. Fabian Pedregosa, Col. Pompeyo Almagro, Col. Randy Pascua, Col. Antonio Rota Jr., LTC Jason Jumawan, Maj. Christopher Manimtim, LCdr. Noah Torres, Cpt. Jennylyn Tamacay and Cpl. Eric Collado.
The heroism of BGen Romeo Brawner Jr., Col. Jose Luntok, Cpt. Arnel Lozada, 2Lt George Francisco, SSg. Roland Saludes, and members of the 55 Engineer “Mangumpiya” Brigade of the Philippine Army was honored.
Cpl. Edison Caturan and Cpl. Johnson Federizon received the Wounded Personnel Medal.
AFP officials led by AFP chief of staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay also offered flowers at the monument of heroes inside Camp Aguinaldo.
According to Gapay, the heroism of the soldiers who fought in the war cannot be discounted.
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Marawi Liberation 3rd anniversary commemorated
He also assured that the military had intensified surveillance to prevent another Marawi siege from happening.
The first step is to monitor the movements of local and foreign terrorists in some areas in Mindanao.
He also explained his statement on the radicalization of the youth and its connection to the madrasa or Islamic schools, which did not sit well with Sulu Governor Sakur Tan and Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman.
According to Gapay, he did not refer to all the madrasa, but there is a possibility that the radicalization of the youth begins in educational institutions.
The general also admitted that the military is currently monitoring eight foreign terrorists in the country. There are 29 on the watchlist.
It is also said that social media is being monitored for the ongoing recruitment of terrorists and the sending of funds.