Soldier, civilians cry as PHL flag raised at provincial capitol in Marawi

Tears fell as Marawi City celebrated the 119th Independence Day on Monday.

In these emotional photos taken by GMA News' Cedric Castillo, a soldier and a few residents are seen wiping off tears from their faces as the Philippine flag was raised at the provincial capitol grounds.

Emotional moment in Lanao del Sur Capitol after Independence Day flag ceremony as Maranaos vow Marawi will rise from the rubble. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/HiHHyprcXQ

— Cedric Castillo (@cedric_castillo) June 12, 2017

It was the first flag-raising ceremony held at the provincial capitol since the Maute group attacked the city on May 23, the same day that President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao.

On Friday, 13 Marines were killed and 40 others were injured in a 16-hour clash against members of the ISIS-inspired group in Barangay Lilod Madaya.

A total of 58 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police have died in the ongoing conflict.

Twenty-one civilians have also been confirmed killed by the Maute group, which has also lost 138 members, according to the military.

Several residents have been staying at the provincial capitol grounds, one of the several temporary shelters for the thousands of people displaced by the ongoing conflict. —ALG, GMA News