By Mario Casayuran
The Senate passed yesterday a resolution honoring the bravery, sacrifice and heroism of the men and women in uniform who defended and maintained peace and order in Marawi City during the bloody Marawi siege late last year.
Senator Richard Gordon (Czar Dancel / MANILA BULLETIN)
Approved was Senate Resolution 746 introduced by Sen. Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.
The resolution said it was only fitting to remember the brave soldiers for their heroic task that prevented the takeover by the terrorist Maute group in Marawi City.
On May 23, 2017, heavily armed members of the Islamic terrorists clashed with government forces and raised a black flag with an ISIS logo in front of the Amai Pakpak Hospital in Marawi City.
The Marawi incident prompted President Duterte to place the entire Mindanao under martial law through Proclamation 216.
The battle, according to the resolution, was a peculiar one because it was the first urban warfare fought in the country.
It involved the setting up of a combined security force from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard under the Command of Joint Task Force.
About 39 civilians were killed in the battle while about 1,733 civilians were rescued by the soldiers.
“Terrorism knows no boundaries as it can thrive anywhere across the globe. The Marawi crisis tested the capabilities and willpower of army leaders and personnel and set a new trajectory of how the army will overcome terrorism in the Philippines,” the resolution stated.
“The supreme sacrifice of our fallen soldiers and police officers in order to fulfill their duty to defend and protect the country from terrorists should not be forgotten and deserves the highest commendation,” the resolution added.
Officers of the AFP, PCG and PNP who helped turned the tide against the Muslim terrorists had a photo opportunity with Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto and Sen. Gordon at the Senate session hall.
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III and Zubiri were at Malacañang when the resolution was adopted.