The Armed Forces of the Philippines marked the 9th anniversary of the liberation of Marawi City with a wreath-laying ceremony and gun salute on Friday, October 17, 2026, honoring the soldiers who died during the five-month siege in 2017.
The ceremony was held at the Heroes Memorial at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, according to the AFP Public Affairs Office.
Vice Chief of Staff Leads Camp Aguinaldo Tribute
Lieutenant General Rommel P. Roldan of the Philippine Air Force, the AFP Vice Chief of Staff, led the ceremony. Photos released by the AFP show an honor guard bearing the national and AFP colors beside the memorial's bronze statue of soldiers in combat, as Roldan rendered a salute before a white floral wreath laid at its base.
Roldan assumed the post of Vice Chief of Staff — the second-highest position in the AFP — earlier this year, having previously served as AFP Deputy Chief of Staff.
Military Reaffirms Commitment to Fallen Soldiers' Legacy
The AFP said the ceremony honored the courage and sacrifices of military personnel who fought during the siege, and reaffirmed the military's commitment to preserving their legacy and remembering their service to the nation, according to the AFP Public Affairs Office.
Five Months of Urban Combat in Lanao del Sur
The Marawi Siege began on May 23, 2017, when militants aligned with the Islamic State group — including the Maute group and Abu Sayyaf fighters — overran parts of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.
On October 17, 2017, then-President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city liberated from terrorist influence, a day after troops killed siege leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute. Then-Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana subsequently announced the formal end of combat operations on October 23, 2017.
The military reported at the time that more than 160 soldiers and police officers were killed in action and over 1,400 were wounded. The five-month battle is regarded as the longest urban battle in the country's modern history.
Photo credit: Cpl. Luna PA / PAOAFP