Memorial wall proposed for Cordi Marawi heroes

A MEMORIAL WALL and a bust depicting combat shoes are proposed to be put up in Burnham Park to pay homage to the soldiers and policemen who were killed in action in Marawi and other parts of the country.

Councilor Edgar Avila, in his proposed ordinance filed this week, said “the time is now ripe for the city to pay homage to the Igorots who were killed in action by installing a memorial wall with the names of the deceased inscribed in the memorial wall, and a bust depicting combat shoes to emphasize that our soldiers and policemen died literally with their 'boots' on."

The initial names to be inscribed include that of Police Chief Insp. Fredie Manuel Solar of Baguio City, the first casualty when the war in Marawi broke out last May 23. Also to be inscribed are the names of Corporal (Cpl) Benito Serrano of Conner, Apayao who also passed away on May 23; Private First Class (PFC) Gener Tinangag of Barlig, Mountain Province who died on June 9; Police Officer (PO) 3 Alexis Mangaldan of Bangued, Abra who perished on July 22; PO1 Mones Kimayong Jr. of Lagawe, Ifugao who died on July 25; Cpl Nelson Wailan of Tabuk, Kalinga who passed away on Aug. 3; and PO2 Daniel Tegwa of Bauko, Mountain Province and PFC Jethro Estacio of Banaue, Ifugao who both joined the Creator on October 16.

In a telephone interview Friday, Avila said they are still coordinating with the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to make sure that the names of Igorots who were killed in Marawi would be included in the memorial. The War Memorial Ordinance is entitled, “Declaring a portion of the Rose Garden in Burnham Park as a war memorial in honor of soldiers and policemen from Baguio City and/or the Cordilleras who died in battle and for other purposes".

In his proposal, Avila cited the “need for a memorial to be established commemorating the service rendered by members of the AFP and the PNP whose roots are in the City of Baguio and the Cordillera region who have been KIA (killed in action) in the war against terrorism in Mindanao and other parts of the country.” He said a memorial cast in stone would be a simple but meaningful tribute for their town mates who made the ultimate sacrifice of dying for their country. Avila described the proposed structure to be in black granite with benches and flower beds to add serenity and solemnity to the memorial. He said an initial appropriation of PHP2 million will be allotted upon the approval of the ordinance. An annual appropriation for its upkeep will be included in the budget of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), which will be tasked to maintain it, Avila added.

Avila explained that the soldiers have given their lives for the protection not just of the Mindanaoans but the Filipinos in general, and recognizing them in simple ways, being fellow Igorots, is just appropriate to honor their bravery and sacrifices for the nation. (PNA)