MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will commemorate its 119th Independence day on Monday, June 12, with martial law in Mindanao and the crisis in Marawi City as its backdrop.
Amid the fighting in the Southern Philippines, military spokesman Brigadier General Restituto Padilla said government troops will raise the Philippine flag in crisis-hit Marawi to mark Independence Day.
The Marawi clashes had killed 58 soldiers and policemen as of Saturday, June 10. On Friday, June 9, the Presidential Communications Operations Office released an initial list of 45 casualties on the government side, among them, Marawi deputy police chief Police Inspector Edwin Placido.
Independence Day commemorates the Philippines' liberation from over 300 years of Spanish colonization. This year's observance takes on a more symbolic meaning as many Filipino soldiers put their life on the line to liberate Marawi from local terrorists who claim links to the Islamic State (ISIS).
Let us show our support for Filipino soldiers and policemen deployed to Marawi City. Thank them for their sacrificies and selflessness using the hashtag #SalamatSaSerbisyo!
You can also share your message or letter to our Filipino soldiers and policemen on X, Rappler's self-publishing paltform.
When submitting via social media, remember to use #SalamatSaSerbisyo and make your post public.
The photos will be collated and published on Rappler on Monday, June 12. – Rappler.com