Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. on Friday, October 17, honored the troops and Maranao residents who fought and rebuilt after the 2017 Marawi siege.
Galvez paid tribute to soldiers who “made the ultimate sacrifice” to free the city from Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorists, calling them “heroes in the truest sense.”
He praised the Maranao people for showing “extraordinary courage” in rebuilding their lives despite the “pain, fear, and trauma” they endured.
Galvez said the government continues to push peace and recovery efforts through the Social Healing and Peacebuilding (SHAPE) Program, which conducts “peace conversations and community healing sessions” with youth, women, and displaced families.
He added that the OPAPRU works with local leaders, faith groups, and civil society to address the roots of terrorism and violent extremism.
Galvez reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to help Marawi rebuild, urging residents to “walk the path of peace” toward a “better and more peaceful future.”
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a personal blog on Medium.