War Buddies

At the battle area, Lt Col Yunque continued to direct the troops and the AIFVs to push forward and gain more ground. The strategy was for the troops to control and secure the surrounding buildings before the start of the recovery operations of the four KIAs and two immobilized armored vehicles. It was a pragmatic plan as the area needed to be secured first before letting the recovery party do their task. Failure to secure the area would unnecessarily expose the latter to enemy fire. 

At 8:30 a.m., two sections of 1SRC and 2SRC, under 1Lt "G" and 2Lt "J", respectively, jointly cleared every house until they reached Building 954. Moving tactically, the troops successfully cleared and secured Building 954 as well. They then proceeded to secure the left flank until the most forward unit already had a clear visual of the pinned-down 5MechBn armored vehicles.

As the troops steadily advanced, though slowly, enemy resistance got stronger by the minute. Amid the raging firefight, 2Lt "J" requested for mortar fires to support their movement and provide cover fire against the enemy on their right flank. Being at the left flank of the two immobilized APCs, 2Lt "J’s" team was getting the brunt of enemy fire from the right flank. At that time, they were moving fast and relentlessly making ‘rat holes’ but also became vulnerable as they hurriedly advanced forward to secure the area north of the two APCs.

Cpt "E" immediately relayed the targets to the 15DRC mortar section and within five minutes, three rounds of mortar fire were delivered. The heavy volume of enemy gunfire coming from the right flank of 2Lt "J" subsided for a moment.

At about 3 p.m., the platoons of 2Lt "J" and 1Lt "G" were able to close in on the left flank of the two immobilized armored vehicles. 1Lt "A" of 15DRC also seized another enemy position while 1Lt "MB" of 15SRC fought his way hard to the next building. The two were a tandem in the right flank of the battle site – also advancing northwards.

By this time, enemy fighters positioned atop buildings were throwing Molotovs at the alleyways. They were waiting for the troops to cross alleys so they could ambush them. 15SRC had to use tear gas to flush out the enemy from their positions.

Gunfire, flames, and debris flew as the firefight continued. 15SRC and 15DRC were gaining ground at the right flank while 1SRC and 2SRC bypassed the position of the two immobilized armored vehicles to secure the buildings beyond them and further deny the enemy of good tactical positions. The ground gained by the two companies now set the stage for the recovery of the four KIA 5MechBn personnel and the two immobilized armored vehicles.

1SRB suffered one WIA, Ranger "NB", for the day of fighting. The Rangers were already so close to accomplishing their mission, but they knew more hardships lay ahead.

The death toll in the Battle of Marawi was already at 188. The Palace confirmed that at least 30 civilians, 38 government troops, and 120 terrorists had been killed. 

--NO MAN LEFT BEHIND (2018)