Duterte's visit came while Marawi battle was ongoing, AFP chief says

President Rodrigo Duterte's visit to troops in Marawi City came "amidst the sound of gun and artillery fires on the background," according to the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In a statement, AFP Chief of Staff Eduardo Año said the President set foot in the city as soldiers launched a daring assault from the other end of Mapandi Bridge, the site of one of the fiercest gun battles in downtown Marawi heavily defended by pro-ISIS Maute Group members.

He said Duterte was given the latest situations update on the ongoing operations at the Tactical Command Post of Joint Task Force Marawi.

The AFP chief said the President had the opportunity to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with the troops.

Año described the visit as very successful and memorable for the troops, but admitted the logistics were not easy.

"Just a minute before the choppers landed, there were a few sniper shots coming from unknown direction that targeted the landing zone area," Año said.

Duterte said he wanted to be with the troops while they continued fighting the bandits.

“I have to be here to visit the you. Your life (referring to the soldiers) is not less important than mine. All of our lives are equally important. We are here to die for our country,” Duterte said during his visit to the soldiers of Task Force Marawi.

Duterte said he was hurt whenever he read the daily updates from the units operating in Marawi.

"I grieve every time i learn that soldiers and civilians die everyday in Marawi," Duterte said.

Colonel Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs office, said the visit was a great morale boost for soldiers engaged in the fight against terrorism.

"Not only was it elating for our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines, it was an unspoken statement of a Commander-in-Chief willing to risk his life and limb just to be with his men at the thick of the conflict," he said. —JST, GMA News