Marawi and Beyond; Stories on Achievements in Crisis

Filipinos' hope never ceases even amidst war. And with Mindanao's battle-torn city of Marawi having survived a great destruction from the recentwar, its citizens rises-up from the ashes of what remains.

Marawi and Beyond; Stories on Achievements in Crisis

With this, the Philippine Army thought it would be significant to document the success and survival stories of people who fought the effects of war and fought for survival.

Marawi and Beyond

Searheaded by the Philippine Army’s Operations Research Center, the army just launched the Joint Task Force Marawi Handbooks which highlights achievements in crisis.

“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. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Commanding General, Philippine Army

Lt. Gen. Bautista was the Commander of 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. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Special Assistant to the President said: “I’m extending the nation’s gratitude to our soldiers and policemen who fought bravely and honorably during the battle of Marawi. Although winning the battle cost us numerous 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 future generations about the sacrifices they offered in retaking the City of Maraw.”

Lt Col Jo-ar A. Herrera, Director, Operations Research Center, Philippine Army

Dr. Isabel Suntay, co-founder Tarlac Heritage Foundation

Dr. Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay, co-founder of Tarlac Heritage Foundation, who has been offering full support in the production of the handbooks led the ceremonial turnover of the handbooks to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte represented by Sec. Go.

“As we engaged the enemy during the crisis in lethal operations and the same time the affected communities in non-combat operations, we were able to strategically and efficiently combine hard power and soft power approaches. At the same time it projected a positive image of the Philippine Army. These are exemplified in the Joint Task Force Marawi handbooks. Digital media, including social media played a very significant role in our innovative ventures in the virtual battle field in the online world toward translating tactical gains in the main battle area into strategic victories from the eyes of affected communities and the Filipino nation,” Lt. Gen. Bautista said. 

Sec. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Special Assistant to the President

Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Commanding General, Philippine Army

Joint Task Force Marawi Handbooks

The handbook series, which covers Joint Task Force Marawi combat and non-combat operations, is a compendium of stories immortalized in a series of books.

“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. 

Joint Task Force Marawi & Philippine Army Operations Research Center

Lt. Col. Herrera added that the Philippine Army Operations Research Center will always be open to accept new challenges and opportunities as they accurately document the significant milestones including insights and analysis for future references both in print and online.

Congratulations to the Philippine Army Operations Research Center for having produced an insightful and very educational Joint Task Force Marawi Handbooks highlighting our achievements in crisis as a nation.