FIFTY gallant soldiers, who helped liberate Marawi City from the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group, have received meritorious promotion.
Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) information officer, said 48 of the 50 promoted soldiers belong to the Army’s 1st and 5th Scout Ranger Battalions.
Besana said that one of the remaining two is from the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade and other one is from the 12th Light Reaction Company.
He said National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza led the simple donning of ranks ceremony held on at Kuta Heneral Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu
The fighting in Marawi City, which lasted for five months, started in May 23 of last year when Maute group members went berserk and have occupied several buildings when the troops have served warrant of arrest against Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.
Hapilon, emir of all Isis forces in the Philippines, and the Maute group leaders, namely Omarkayam and Abdullah Maute, were killed during the five-month battle in Marawi City.
Besana said the troops has been urged by the defense chief to continue to do their job and assured them of full support in the accomplishment of mission. ( Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)