Soldiers, cop killed in Marawi siege honored at Libingan ng mga Bayani

Government security forces killed in the Marawi siege last year were honored by the Philippine Army during a wreath-laying ceremony in Taguig City on Wednesday to commemorate the battle's first anniversary.

A report on Unang Balita by Bam Alegre said a short program and a mass at the Libingan ng mga Bayani were held in honor of the slain members of the military and the police.

Those honored during the ceremony were:

• Captain Rommel Sandoval
• 1Lt. John Frederick Savellano
• 1Lt. Raymond Abad
• 2Lt. Harold Mark Juan
• Corporal Reymund Paracuelles
• Cpl. Francisco Silos
• Cpl. Domimar Lape
• Private First Class Edmond Tibayan
• PFC Sherwin Marco Canapi
• PFC Jaime Invento
• PFC Jethro Fil Estacio
• Private Jan Michael Alvaro Lolo
• Police Inspector Edward Placido

Attending the event were Major General Robert Arevalo, vice commander of the Philippine Army; and Lieutenant Gen. Danilo Pamonag, commander of the Southern Luzon Command.

Arevalo said the Marawi siege had led to several promotions and prompted the Army to improve its training on urban situation and sniper capability.

The five-month long battle saw government forces defeat militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq, including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Salafi jihadist groups.— MDM, GMA News