Unknown fallen troops honored

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. led the military in honoring the heroism of fallen troops who lost their lives to conflict, but remain unidentified due to the circumstances of their deaths.

Around 200 uniformed personnel from the Philippine Army units, Philippine Navy, Philippine Marine Corps, Philippine Air Force, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Coast Guard were augmented for security operations from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

As of Oct. 29, 54,568 remains were interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

According to the Grave Services Unit of the Army Support Command, around 90,000 people were expected to visit the cemetery last year, with actual numbers reaching 99,233.

For 2026, estimates increased to 100,000.