“I pray to God that it will not happen ever, ever again.”

With these words, President Rodrigo Duterte joined those who gathered in Marawi City on Saturday, October 16, on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of his declaration of the “liberation of Marawi” from the extremist Maute group.

Duterte lauded Task Force Bangon Marawi for the complete rehabilitation of the Grand Mosque of Marawi, which was damaged in the five months of fierce fightings in the predominantly Muslim city in 2017.

He said the government work on the Grand Mosque was important because “this place holds historical and cultural significance in the lives of the Maranaos.” 

“We rejoice as a nation as the Grand Mosque of Marawi brings hope to our Muslim brothers and sisters,” Duterte said during a speech that lasted less than 10 minutes. 

But Duterte said rebuilding the lives of the displaced families, restoring damaged property, and revitalizing disrupted socioeconomic activities were the most important tasks ahead.

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He assured Maranaos that the government was doing its best to expedite the completion of rehabilitation projects at the soonest possible time

“We, in government, are strongly committed to bring back the city’s glory, and we will continue to foster cooperation among the concerned stakeholders so that Marawi would be able to build back, stronger and better,” Duterte said. –Rappler.com