A handbook series entitled Joint Task Force Marawi was launched earlier this March covering Marawi combat and non-combat operations and a compendium of stories immortalized in series of books.
The Philippine Army’s Operations Research Center spearheaded the book launch that highlights the experiences and achievements of our soldiers and police force during the crisis in Marawi City.
“As we commemorate the unfortunate memories of the crisis and remember the destruction caused by the enemy, we also keep in our hearts and minds the lessons learned in the military operations throughout the five-month long battle,” said Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Commanding General, Philippine Army.
Lt. Gen. Bautista was the Commander of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division and Joint Task Force Marawi during the Marawi crisis where government troops engaged the ISIS-Maute terrorist group in the fiercest military combat operations in recent Philippine History. 65 soldiers and policemen died and more than a thousand were wounded in the main battle area.
Guest of Honor and Speaker Sec. Christoper Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, Special Assistant to the President said, “I’m extending the nation’s gratitude to our soldiers and policemen who fought bravery and honorably during the battle of Marawi. Although winning the battle cost us more lives, their deeds during the five-month long crisis have allowed us to liberate not only the city but the entire country from the clutches of violence and terror. These books will not only immortalize the exploits of our men and women in uniform but will also serve as a reminder for the future generations about the sacrifices they offered in retaking the City of Marawi.”
Dr. Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay, co-founder of Tarlac Heritage Foundation, who has been offering full support in the production of the books led the ceremonial turnover of the handbooks to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte represented by Sec. Go.
“It is an enduring documentation of actual experiences and achievement on the ground during the crisis. In order to keep an intended tone of book presentation,the handbooks were designed for specific internal and external audiences,” Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, Director of Operations Research Center, Philippine Army.
“As we experienced challenges in the battle of Marawi, we saw opportunities to improve. These challenges and opportunities should be eternally achieved by keeping its information and data in print and online. The Operations Research Center, Philippine Army painstakingly worked on the documentations and all its encompassing realizations that transpired during the crisis,” Lt. Col. Herrera added.