Palace: Honor Marawi siege heroes, civilians

Philippine Marines carry the caskets of two of 13 fellow marines, who were killed Friday in the battle with Muslim militants in Marawi City, upon arrival at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, on June 11, 2017. Fighting in Marawi between the government forces and Muslim militants, who laid siege of the city three weeks ago, continues with rising casualties on both sides and civilians and displacing tens of thousands of residents. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Malacañang on Monday urged the public to join the government in honoring the soldiers and civilians killed in the ongoing Marawi conflict as troops attempt to take back the city.

“Today as the nation observes Independence Day we will pay homage to the fallen soldiers of Marawi,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

“We would likewise, remember all the innocent victims who perished as a result of rebel atrocities committed,” he said.

“We ask all Filipinos of all faiths and ethnic groups to say a short prayer for our heroes and innocent victims who perished, for the soldiers and the civilians who are still in the battlefield, and for peace and unity for the Philippines,” he said.

READ: High noon salute to Marawi heroes

The names of the soldiers will be flashed on television and read over the radio at 12 noon on Monday for the “high noon salute.”

Abella said it is “a tribute to their heroism for making the ultimate sacrifice for the flag and the country we dearly love.”

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, earlier said that while they won’t be able to give the names of all noncombatants who died, they “will ensure that the civilians who perished will also be given the proper honor.”

Abella also said that the AFP will fly at half-mast the Philippine flag in all military camps after the high noon tribute

“All other agencies and offices of the government will have their flags displayed at half-mast starting tomorrow, June 13, the first working day of the week,” he said.

There was a moment of silence in memory of those who died in Marawi City during the 119th Independence Day celebrations at Rizal Park on Monday morning. JPV/rga

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