ZAMBOANGA CITY - Fifty soldiers who were part of the government forces that liberated Marawi City from the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group have received meritorious promotion.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza on Friday led the simple donning of ranks ceremony held at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista in Barangay Busbus, Jolo, Sulu.
Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, said 48 of the 50 promoted soldiers belong to the Army’s 1st and 5th Scout Ranger Battalions.
Besana said that the remaining two are from the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade and the 12th Light Reaction Company.
Lorenzana congratulated the soldiers for the promotion and for the "job well-done" in Marawi City, Besana said.
The fighting in Marawi City, which lasted for five months, began on May 23 last year when Maute members occupied several buildings following a police operation to capture Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.
Hapilon, self-styled "emir" of all IS forces in the Philippines, and Maute Group leaders Omarkayam and Abdullah Maute, were killed during the five-month battle in Marawi City.
Besana said Lorenzana has assured the troops of full support and urged them to continue performing their duties.
“If everything goes out well, we will soon be able to shift our efforts to more peaceful means, such as programs that intend to develop our country,” the military official quoted Lorenzana as telling the troops.
Present during the donning of ranks were Major Gen. Robert Arevalo, Philippine Army vice commander; Lt. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Westmincom chief; and Major Gen. Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander. (PNA)
