Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):
October 16, 2017
Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Omarkhayam Maute were killed in action in Marawi City on October 16, 2017.
Hapilon was seen as the Islamic State (IS) group's leader in Southeast Asia. He was among the US list of "most wanted terrorists."
The Philippine Army has been in a battle to dislodge the group since May 2017 after the city was partly held by the insurgents.
Around 300 people died in the gun battle between Philippine forces and the Islamic State-linked Maute group.
Marawi City was seized by the terrorists on May 23, 2017 and 200,000 of the city's residents fled. The attack by Maute and its allies in Mindanao is the biggest warning that the Islamic State is building a base in the region.
Marawi's seizure was the biggest challenge faced by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. On October 17, 2017, the president led rain-soaked troops in Marawi, to celebrate the government victory after the military claimed a major breakthrough as it announced the death of the head of the Islamic State group. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare Marawi liberated from the terrorists' influence that marks the beginning of the rehabilitation," Pres. Duterte said.
The President commended the military and the police for risking their lives in fighting the terrorists. He led the distribution of groceries, wrist watches, and sunglasses to government troops, and gave them new pistols.
He was joined by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año, Philippine Army Commander Major General Rolando Bautista, Philippine National Police Director-General Ronald dela Rosa, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: wikipedia.org
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