CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (October 21) — Eight years after gunfire and airstrikes reduced much of Marawi City to rubble, the sound that filled the air on Friday was different: quiet prayers, solemn music, and the steady steps of survivors and soldiers remembering a hard-fought victory.
The provincial government of Lanao del Sur and the Philippine Army led a commemoration ceremony marking the eighth anniversary of the city’s liberation from the Daesh-inspired Maute group and Abu Sayyaf, whose five-month siege in 2017 left deep scars on lives and communities.
For many residents, the anniversary is a reminder of both the trauma and the hope that followed. “We lost our home, but we never lost our faith that Marawi will rise again,” said Fatima, a mother of four who has spent years in temporary shelter as she waits for her family’s return to the city’s most affected area.
Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. described the anniversary as a collective moment to honor sacrifice and renew commitment to recovery.
“It is that time of the year once again when our hopes are high for the full return of normalcy and the continued rebuilding of our communities for the benefit of our displaced families who, to this day, strive to create better homes despite the challenges,” Adiong said.
At the headquarters of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, wreaths were laid at the Heroes’ Marker to honor the soldiers who died during the five-month battle. Survivors, uniformed personnel, and families of the fallen stood shoulder to shoulder as they observed a moment of silence.
Meanwhile, the Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) continues its payout operations to qualified claimants whose properties were destroyed during the conflict. For many families, the compensation represents not just money, but a chance to rebuild the homes and lives they lost.
While progress is visible in parts of the city — with new roads, buildings, and mosques rising — thousands of residents are still navigating the long road to permanent return. For them, the liberation anniversary is both a reminder of pain and a renewal of promise that Marawi’s full recovery will not be forgotten.
