Saying “Thank you for your prayers”, members of the Philippine Coast Guard wave goodbye to their comrades and spectators in Iligan City as they sail away from the port area back to their base in Luzon on Wednesday, November 1. They end their tour of duty as part of the Task Group Lawa which guarded Lake Lanao in Marawi City to prevent reinforcement to the terrorist group . (Divina M. Suson/davaotoday.com)
ILIGAN CITY, Philippines – Members of the Philippine Coast Guard have arrived at their headquarters in Luzon Friday morning, November 3 after a five-month tour of duty in Marawi City. The PCG left the port area here on Wednesday afternoon November 1.
Despite the rains, some 70 personnel were given the heroes’ send-off ceremony, led by Captain Leovigildo G. Panopio, commander of PCG Northern Mindanao
The PCG was part of Task Group Lawa of the Joint Task Force Marawi, which played an important role to block any escape or reinforcement coming from the lake to the embattled terrorists in Marawi City.
“There were many attempts of the followers and sympathizers of the militants to get inside and help but because of the Task Group Lawa, they failed,” Brawner said.
In June, Madie Maute, one of the Maute brothers who led the attack in Marawi, was killed while he was about to escape with eight others through a pump boat.
In his message, Panopio said he was amazed of the bravery shown by the PCG troopers during their stint in Marawi.
“Pinupuri ko ang inyong hindi matatawarang sakripisyo. Hinahangaan ko ang inyong pagmamahal sa ating bayan (I praise your unselfish sacrifice. I admire your love of country,” Panopio said.
A day after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) terminated their combat operation on October 23, troops started to pull out from Marawi City.
More than 900 terrorists, 165 security forces and 45 civilians were killed, while more than 400,000 residents were displaced by the battle.(davaotoday.com)
