By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A hero’s welcome is planned for tomorrow, October 27, to greet members of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB), returning home after fighting the Islamic State-backed Maute terror group in Marawi City.

303IB commander, Colonel Eliezer Losañes, pointed out, the welcome ceremony at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol will proceed as scheduled, despite most units already returned to the province as of last Sunday.

He added, most are from the division’s reconnaissance company.

Losañes noted, most of the soldiers admitted difficulty with the battle in Marawi City, as many had not been trained in urban warfare. However, he said the soldiers are enthusiastic and excited for their rest and recreation after five months of combat.

The end of the Marawi siege was earlier announced by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, after troops cleared out the last building in the city held by the terror group./DGB, WDJ