‘Taps’ for heroes of Marawi

MANILA, Philippines - Flags flew at half-mast and “Taps” rang out in a mournful tribute yesterday to the Marines killed in action in the battle to rid Marawi of Maute terrorists.

“Our salute and respect to the fallen Marines. Thank you for your selfless service to the nation,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared in ceremonies to welcome the remains of the Marines at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig yesterday, recognizing the soldiers’ supreme sacrifice, heroism and love of country.

A tribute, coinciding with the 119th Philippine Independence celebration, was aired live at noon, giving the country a chance to pay its respects to the 58 soldiers and policemen who have been killed in the Marawi City clashes since May 23.

The AFP observed a day of silence and prayer yesterday as it refused to update the media on the ongoing battle with the terrorist Maute group.

The 58 would be given heroes’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig, although their families are given the option to bury them in cemeteries nearer to their homes.

“The names of our brave soldiers who died fighting in Marawi City will be flashed on TV and read over the radio, with the sound of Taps, at noon as a tribute to their heroism for making the ultimate sacrifice for the flag and the country we dearly love,” said presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella.

The innocent victims who perished as a result of rebel atrocities would also be remembered, he added.

In white caskets covered by the Philippine flag, the dead were brought by fellow soldiers to the Acero Hall of the Philippine Marine Corps barracks where their wakes will be held.

Vice President Leni Robredo attended the military honors ceremony, aside from leading the flag raising rites in Rizal Park in Manila, which President Duterte skipped in the morning.

Duterte personally paid the fallen soldiers his respects Sunday night and expressed his condolences to their families.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano represented the President in yesterday’s wreath-laying rites at the Rizal Monument.

Aside from the 58 fallen troopers, the Marawi clashes also claimed the lives of 20 civilians and 138 terrorists as of Sunday.

“In addition to observing a day of silence and prayer for our heroes and the innocents who died due to terrorist atrocities in Marawi, we also had a nationwide tribute in cooperation with all the major networks in TV and radio to all the fallen,” military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said in a statement.

“Shortly after, we flew all flags in all military camps at half-mast in salute. Other agencies of government were also requested to fly their flags at half-mast tomorrow (Tuesday), the first official working day of the week,” he added.

He said yesterday’s activities, including the observance of a day of silence and prayer, were done “in salute to the bravery, gallantry, dedication and sacrifice of every soldier who gave their all in the current and ongoing fight in Marawi.”

Padilla stressed that the high-noon tribute “is to remind people that the freedom they enjoy on Independence Day was not because of anything else but the sacrifice of many Filipinos who lived in the past and gave their all to attain the freedom that we now enjoy and the freedom that we must continue to work hard to preserve. With Janie Cameron, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Helen Flores, Gilbert Bayoran, Paolo Romero, Ramon Efren Lazaro