Pres. Duterte's visit to Marawi boosts morale of PH troops

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 20): Pres. Duterte's visit to Marawi boosts morale of PH troops

President Rodrigo Duterte's Thursday visit to Marawi City, where Filipino troops are currently locked in battle with remaining Maute Group terrorists, has greatly boosted the morale of military personnel currently deployed there.

Thus, declared by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año who was among the ranking military and defense officials who accompanied the Chief Executive there.

The visit took place "amidst the sound of gun and artillery fires on the background," he added.

The President also set foot in Marawi as the troops launched a daring assault from the other end of Mapandi Bridge-- site of one of the fiercest gun battle in downtown Marawi heavily defended by Maute Group.

He was given the latest situations update on the ongoing operations at the Tactical Command Post of Joint Task Force Marawi on the 59th day of rebellion.

Año said the President had the opportunity to shake hands with the troops, talked to, and exchanged pleasantries with them.

And while the visit was very successful and memorable for the troops, the AFP chief said it was not easy as shots started coming in at the landing zone where the helicopter carrying Duterte and his party was supposed to land.

Aside from Año, the President was accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Presidential Adviser for Military Affairs Undersecretary Arthur Tabaquero, and Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1002043