Young officer tells Congress of soldiers' ordeal as Marawi clashes rage

A soldier injured in the Marawi crisis appeared before Congress Saturday to recount the difficulties of the military as its offensive against the Maute group continues after more than eight weeks since the firefight started in the strife-torn city.

First Lieutenant Kent Fagyan, a commanding officer of one of the units that engaged the Maute group, said soldiers had had sleepless nights during the first week of the clashes.

“Hindi ka makakain ng tamang oras. Hindi ka makatulong kasi lagi ka gising. Putok dito, putok doon, simula ng umaga hanggang gabi, almost 24 hours ‘yun, lalo na yung first week,” Fagyan said.

“Yun yung sa’min sa mga sundalo, kahit ganoon yung nararanasan namin, ginagawa namin ang tungkulin namin,” he said.

At 29 years old, Fagyan said he had also served during the 2013 Zamboanga crisis when the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) tried to take over the city.

Fagyan said he and his unit has been in Marawi City for a year now, giving them advantage in recognizing who the civilians are. He, however, admitted the difficulties of the military in flushing out the Maute group when they first entered the city.

“Imagine, naka-defensive position lang sila. Ang gagawin lang nila, kung lalabas kami, titirahin lang nila kami kaya kailangan dahan-dahan talaga,” he said.

“Hindi namin kailangan magpakita sa mga kalsada kasi titirahin kami. Kailagan namin butasin yung pader tapos doon kami papasok,” Fagyan said.

Fagyan said his unit got lucky when they avoided casualties after one of his mean sat on an improvised explosive device (IED) did not explode.

“Mahirap talaga yung ghinagawa namin. As much as possible, iniiwasin namin yung casualties samin. Pero magaling din yung kalaban so yun yung ginagawa namin,” he said.

Fagyan said he was injured when he and two others was clearing one of the buildings.

Members of Congress applauded Fagyan after he spoke.

Senator Richard Gordon, who had the floor for his interpellation, was emotional and had to pause, telling Fagyan: “I just want you to commend you for your bravery.”

Congress, in joint session, is set to decide Saturday on President Rodrigo Duterte's request to extend martial law in Mindanao until year end. -NB, GMA News