ZAMBOANGA CITY ­ Six days before the first anniversary of the start of the Islamic State (IS)­ inspired siege, Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) launched last Thursday the Marawi Week of Peace to commemorate the heroism and unity of civilians and soldiers. Government forces battled it out with the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups for five months, from May 23 to Oct. 23 last year, in the Lanao del Sur capital.The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) said the weeklong commemoration, which coincides with the start of Ramadan this month, will be observed yearly from May 17 to 23. Rolando Asuncion, OPAPP assistant secretary, underscored in a statement the importance of recognizing the heroism and resilience displayed by the people during the conflict and the rebuilding of their lives thereafter. "Peace begins within ourselves. We need to reflect on our values, behaviors and attitudes," Asuncion said. Earlier the OPAPP led a conference with various stakeholders at City Hall and hosted an iftar (the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan) with the community. Relief distribution and livelihood and technical training, including sports, cultural and religious activities, will be provided by partner agencies of TFBM. During the opening day of the Week of Peace, the Department of Trade and Industry mounted a trade fair while the Department of Health provided medical services to residents at the City Hall grounds. Faisal Cali, representing the vice governor's office, urged all stakeholders to unite in order to fast­ track the rehabilitation of the city."Peace is a shared responsibility," Cali said, in the same statement provided by theOPAPP.As this developed, the European Union (EU) has vowed to continue supporting the Philippines, including rehabilitation efforts in strife­ torn Marawi, amid previous aid rejections by the Duterte administration aimed at preventing the bloc from allegedly interfering in internal affairs. Speaking during the 40th anniversary of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), EU Ambassador Franz Jessen last Thursday night assured the Philippine government that the bloc remains a steadfast partner of the country and it has no intention to interfere inits policies. ­ --- With Jose Rodel Clapano, Richmond Mercurio

This article was originally published in the Philippine Star on May 19, 2018.