Manila: The anniversary to mark the liberation of Marawi city after a five-month siege elicited mixed sentiments as the government honoured the heroes who sacrificed their lives to help prevent extremists from taking root in the country.

“As we celebrate the triumphs of our government troops against the Daesh-inspired Maute rebels, we pay tribute to those who have fallen in the fierce battles during the siege of Marawi and gave the ultimate sacrifice to make our nation safer and more secure,” Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Wednesday.

On May 23, 2017, militants led by Isnilon Hapilon, a Basilan-based Abu Sayyaf leader and Omarkhayam Maute from Lanao del Sur, besieged key government installations in Marawi and declared the southern Philippines city an “Islamic Caliphate.”

The group took inspiration from a violent brand of Islam that had taken root in some parts of the Iraq and Syria in the form of Daesh.

Government units were quickly overwhelmed as its forces held back on a counter-offensive for fear of civilian casualties. But after five months of heavy fighting in urban terrain, the government on October 17, 2017 announced victory with the neutralisation of Hapilon and Maute.

The liberation of Marawi City came at the cost of lives of 168 government soldiers and 87 civilians. Some 974 militants, including 13 foreigners were killed in the offensive.

The incident on the other hand, galvanised opposition in the country against extremism. “The liberation of Marawi conveyed one strong message: Our people stand — and will unceasingly stand — united against the evils of terrorism,” Panelo said.

The government had vowed to assist residents who had lost their homes and livelihood as a result of the conflict in Marawi City, however, it can only provide so much.

Civil society groups in Marawi City had been increasingly demanding that the government begin efforts to return the devastated city back to normalcy.

“One year since it was claimed that Marawi has been liberated, yet, we do not feel such liberation. One year since we were promised the rebuilding of our homes and yet we still live in tent cities and temporary shelters and living off the over-spent generosity of our relatives until now,” the group “Anyare Marawi” or “Whither Marawi?,” said in a statement.

But efforts to help Marawi City get back on track, also elicited massive assistance from Philippines’ allies such as the United States.

On October 16, 2018, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim announced the Marawi Response Project, a P1.35 billion ($25 million or Dh91.59 million), three-year US programme aimed at improving the economic and social conditions of communities directly affected by the Marawi siege.

“The US government shares concerns of the Philippine government for ongoing economic, social, health, and education needs of the people of Marawi and neighbouring municipalities,” Kim said.

He added that through the US Agency for International Development, the Marawi Response Project, will expand livelihood activities and help restart local businesses in and around Marawi.

“The project will offer micro grants to the displaced and host communities to help address short-term needs, support employment readiness among the youth, and help link youth to Mindanao’s thriving services sector and supply-chains,” he said.