MANILA, Philippines — After more than four months of heavy battle, the Philippine flag was finally raised and the singing of the Philippine national anthem was once again heard in the city of Marawi.

At a school campus within the main battle area, President Rodrigo Duterte addressed the soldiers and policemen battling the ISIS-inspired terrorists.

With full conviction, the government troopers simultaneously recited the oath of allegiance.

The burden of war has left its trace on the men’s faces as they listened to the good news.

The president made the declaration a day after government troops killed terrorist leaders, Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, who both led the invasion of Marawi City.

Duterte assured that the government will never allow a repeat of a similar crisis, noting that the troops were not able to immediately enter the city which allowed the terrorists to store firearms there.

Despite 160 deaths on the government’s side during the more than four months of clashes, the soldiers said they are happy since their hardship is finally bearing fruit.

Even after the president’s declaration of liberation, the military continues its operation in the strife-torn area to neutralize or capture the remaining terrorists, and rescue other hostages.

Based on the latest military figures, the enemy still holds hostage 22 individuals, and 30 members of the Maute-ISIS terror group are still holed up in the city. But the military said that the remaining terrorists are now demoralized because of the death of their leaders.

Now that the war is over, the government faces a herculean task of rebuilding Marawi City as the heavy battle left buildings and homes in total devastation. — Victor Cosare | UNTV News & Rescue