Marawi crisis tougher than Zamboanga siege, veteran fighters say

The soldiers fighting the Maute group in Marawi City face two challenges, one is that the ISIS-inspired group is very familiar with the terrain and that there are IEDs or Improvised Explosive Devices planted in many parts of the city, according to two veterans of the Zamboanga siege of 2013.

In the report of GMA News' Marisol Abdurahman on "24 Oras," Corporals Roderick Landong and Rogen Cruz said the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City is a bigger challenge than the Zamboanga siege.

"Sa Zamboanga, bale, medyo maliit lang, ilang barangay lang, eh dito halos 'yung buong bayan," Landong told Marisol Abdurahman on her exclusive report for 24 Oras on Wednesday.

"Ang nagpapahirap samin dito Maam, yung malalaking mga bahay, tapos may mga underground (hideouts) Maam," he added.

Cruz said, "Mas mahirap silang kalaban dito Maam, kasi mas kabisado nila 'yung lugar Maam."

With these challenges and in order to move deeper into the city as part of an offensive tactic, government troops had to break down the thick walls of buildings.

The Maute group, which is on the defensive, are just waiting for the soldiers.

"Makikita nila pag nag-move kami, malalaman nila na nagmo-move kami, sila, naka-defensive kung paano namin makukuha ang posisyon nila at mapapa atras sila Maam," said Lt. Michael Jungco of the Marawi task force.

The leading cause of death of soldiers are the IEDs that were planted by the members of the Maute group.

The soldiers still have to clear out more than 600 buildings in the main battle area while the terrorists are still in three barangays in Marawi City.

Entering their 65th day of fighting, ground troops are still supported by continuous heavy artillery support and aerial assault.

The drone footage taken by GMA News' Raffy Tima shows the expanse of the city's destruction caused by the ongoing siege. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News