‘Life in Marawi was not easy but we did our job'

From the Visayan Daily Star (Nov 4): ‘Life in Marawi was not easy but we did our job'

Life of the soldiers from Negros fighting the Maute-Islamic State terror group in Marawi City was not easy.

There were many ways to die while in Marawi – from bullets fired by the terrorists, to being bitten by dengue-carrying mosquitoes,Technical Sergeant Jose Lumayno of Sipalay City, Negros Occidental,said yesterday.

Lumaynois one of the 81 soldiers belonging to the Army's 31st Division Reconnaissance Company who received a heroes' welcome at the provincial Capitol in Bacolod City following their more than 4-month stay inMarawi City.

TheArmy's 31st Division Reconnaissance Company soldiers were tasked with delivering sandbags to the main battle area and to provide support to tanks assaulting the Maute forces, he said.

Lumayno admitted that their stint in Marawi had been difficult.

In the first few weeks, he said they could not sleep at night because the Maute fighters could attack them anytime. They also could not sleep when it rained since the bombed buildings they were in did not have roofs.

They drank water from the rain and did not have baths for weeks, Lumayno also said.

He added that the soldiers had to use garbage bins to catch rainwater and used a solar panel to charge their cellular phones.

Their meals consisted mostly of canned goods since there was no fresh food because there was no public market.

“For the past 4 months and 16 days inMarawi City, all the pain, hardship and sacrifice we encountered was part and parcel of our job,” Lumayno said.

“We did our job to liberate the Maranaw people…the men of the 31 st DRC are proud to be called Marawi liberators,” he added.*CPG

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2017/November/04/topstory2.htm