FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army holds book launching featuring a book entitled Marawi and Beyond at the Philippine Army Headquarters, Tuesday, May 22, 2018.
The book series Marawi and Beyond documents the challenges, lessons learned, and triumphs of the Philippine Army during the five-month long battle to free Marawi City from the hands of Daesh-inspired Maute terrorists.
Among the important personalities present during the event were Lieutenant General Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Commanding General Philippine Army and Under Secretary of National Defense Cardozo M. Luna who acted and stood as the Guest of Honor and speaker in behalf of the Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana. Ambassadors of Singapore, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Egypt, Laos, Brunei, and Panama were also present and manifested their appreciation to the Philippine Army’s efforts during the Marawi Seige.
“To all the members of the Joint Task Force Marawi who are here, you truly are an impressive company of soldiers. You were tested and proven by the Marawi siege and I know that you will arise as winners in all tests that will follow,” said DND Under Secretary Luna.
Marawi and Beyond is a series of 28 books. A production staff of 22 officers and enlisted personnel from various units of the Philippine Army with 28 civilian volunteers painstakingly crafted the books for about seven months.
“Our words will never be able to express our utmost gratitude for those who laid down their lives in the service of our country. As a nation and as a people, centuries of cultural frictions must be resolved for us to be able to reach a better understanding of one another in order that we may one day live together under the spirit of trust, understanding, mutual respect, and love. For the nation, the thoughts of the Battle of Marawi will forever be enshrined and the benevolent find their rightful place in Philippine History,” said. Lt. Gen. Bautista.#