The city government of Baguio plans to install a war memorial along Burnham Park to honor Cordilleran soldiers killed in action in Marawi at the height of the government’s offensive against the Maute group.
“A memorial cast in stone would be a simple but a meaningful tribute we can give to our townmates for the sacrifice of dying for their country,” stated Councilor Edgar Avila, author of the proposed legislation.
Thus, a portion of the Rose Garden in Burnham Park will be declared a war memorial for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police from Baguio, and the Cordillera Administrative Region who died in battle.
A memorial wall made of black granite will be erected with the names of fallen Cordilleran soldiers and inscribed.
A bust depicting a combat boot will also be built to “emphasize that the soldiers and policemen died literally with their boots on. Further, benches and flower beds will be installed in the area “to add serenity and solemnity to the memorial.
Included in the list of soldiers and cops whose names will be inscribed on the memorial wall is Police Senior Inspector Freddie Manuel Solar of Baguio City who was the first Cordilleran to die during the initial offensive of the Maute group. Also included are Army Corporal Benito Serrano of Conner, Apayao; Scout Ranger Corporal Nelson Wailan of Tabuk, Kalinga; Scout Ranger Jethro Estacio of Banawe, Ifugao; and Private First Class Gener Tinangag of Barlig, Mt.
Province.
The rest were Special Action Force members - PO1 Mones Kimayong, Jr. of Lagawe, Ifugao; PO3 Alexis Mangaldan of Bangued, Abra, and PO2 Daniel Tegwa of Bauko, Mt. Province.
If the ordinance is approved, money will be appropriated for the implementation of the project. The city government, however, may still accept contributions from government agencies and non-government organizations for its early implementation.
Thereafter, the budget for the maintenance and upkeep of the war memorial will be incorporated in the annual appropriations plan of the City Environment and Parks Management Office.
Under the proposed ordinance, the City Engineering Office is also tasked, in coordination with CEPMO, to determine the bounds of the war memorial and to recommend to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the segregation and the preservation of the area.
Financial aid for bereaved families of slain soldiers
Meanwhile, fundraising efforts will be held to extend financial aid to the families of the fallen Cordilleran warriors, ABS news report. The Cordillera Binnadang group recently launched a fund drive to assist the families of the eight killed policemen and soldiers, similar to what was done for the families of the 14 Igorot SAF troopers who perished in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 2015.
According to Alexander Bangsoy, head of the group, aside from receiving donations from individuals and groups, they will also hold golf and football tournaments for the cause. The golf tournament will be held after the annual Fil-Am Golf-Tournament on December 16 while the football tournament is slated on December 7 and 8.
The fundraising will run until January 2018. Donors of the Cordillera Binndang Fund Drive for Cordillera Marawi Heroes can deposit into the account 8123-0427-01 with swift code BOPIPHMM.
