The Philippine Army on Saturday, October 17, 2026, honored the soldiers and personnel who took part in the liberation of Marawi City, marking the ninth anniversary of the battle's end with a ceremony at the Marawi Pylon inside the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Army Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados delivered the message of Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran, paying tribute to what Gumiran called the "indomitable Filipino soldiers" who freed Marawi after a five-month campaign against ISIS-inspired militants, according to a press release from the Army's Public Affairs Office.
Army Chief Pays Tribute to Fallen and Living Soldiers
In his message relayed by Morados, Gumiran cited the broader meaning of the soldiers' sacrifice, connecting the Marawi campaign to the endurance of the Filipino nation.
"We celebrate the indomitable Filipino spirit hopeful that it reaches across future generations far into the future, reminding us that, once in the history of this great nation, our people faced a great tragedy; and that in the face of such adversity, Filipinos stood firm, bound by unyielding faith, uncommon courage, and an unwavering refusal to be deprived of their freedom," Morados said, reading Gumiran's words.
The Marawi Pylon, at whose base the names and ranks of fallen personnel are engraved, served as the focal point of the anniversary rites. Photos released by the Army showed a wreath-laying ceremony and a formal salute at the pylon, attended by Army officers and civilian guests.
"No Contribution Was Too Small," Gumiran Says of Support Troops
Gumiran's message went beyond the soldiers who fought in the streets of Marawi, explicitly recognizing those who served in support roles far from the front lines, according to the Army's Public Affairs Office.
Those singled out included liaison personnel who assisted the families of fallen soldiers and coordinated the return of their remains, supply and logistics units that kept frontline troops equipped, headquarters staff who sourced replacements for shortfalls at the front, and medical teams who treated the wounded.
"No contribution was too small when the nation was at stake," Gumiran said in the remarks delivered by Morados.
The Army said it continues to honor the courage and sacrifice of soldiers and law enforcement personnel who gave their lives during the five-month battle, describing their service as part of the nation's pursuit of peace and security.
About the Two Officers Who Led Saturday's Commemoration
Lt. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran assumed command as the Philippine Army's 68th commanding general on August 11, 2026, succeeding Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, who moved up to become chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Gumiran previously led the AFP Western Mindanao Command.
Maj. Gen. Efren F. Morados, who delivered Gumiran's message at the ceremony, holds the Army's second-highest post as vice commander. A member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1992, Morados previously commanded the 803rd Infantry Brigade and, from 2013 to 2014, the 62nd Infantry Battalion in Negros Occidental.
The Siege That Prompted the Commemoration
The battle of Marawi began on May 23, 2017, when ISIS-inspired militants occupied parts of the Lanao del Sur capital. Government forces fought the militants in urban terrain for approximately five months before the government declared the city liberated in October 2017.
The annual commemoration at the Marawi Pylon in Libingan ng mga Bayani serves as the Army's formal occasion to remember those who died in the campaign and to recognize the service of all personnel involved in one of the most intense urban battles in Philippine military history.
Photo credit: Cpl. Rodgen V. Quirante PA/PAO, Philippine Army