These were among the memorabilia from the 153- day Marawi siege which the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Special Operations Command (Socom) collated at the Punoh Mohaji Hall inside the neatly landscaped headquarters here.
Major Sonny Dungca, Socom’s chief information officer, said the museum was established to tell the story of the fierce war that ended with the liberation of Marawi City from the ISIS-inspired Maute Group.
“Nakikita po natin yung history, ang pinagdaanan ng mga tropa para sa bayan natin “ Dungca said, adding their troops were among the frontliners who braved the tunnels and every dangerous corner day after day of operations.
“Para malaman ng taumbayan na hindi talaga ganoon kadali yung ginagawa ng mga tropa natin,” he added.
The firepower on display, which were part of over 400 recovered from the enemies include Barrets, BAR, M249, SAW, M14S, M16s, and RPG, among many others.
The museum also features the actual map of the battle zone with marking on specific positioning of both gov- ernment troopers and Maute members.
The diff erent kinds of drones testify to the sophisti- cation of the terrorist group, he noted. Also on display are photographs of fallen troopers, as well as newspaper reports on the siege,. Dungca explained the letters, including those from Muslim children from Zamboanga who thanked the soldiers for fighting in their behest were delivered with the so-called “love packs” of food sent by civic organizations.
“Wala po akong maibibigay sa inyo pero itong liham na ito ay sinulat ko nang buong puso. Sana paglaanan niyo ng lakas ng loob ang pakikipaglaban,” Dungca reads a handwritten letter from a Zamboanga kid.
Aside from Marawi things, the museum also features memories of other battles that Socom soldiers fought.
“Ito yung tinatawag natin na mga silent professionals. Nagta-trabaho lang sila behind the scene,” Dungca said of the Socom fighters.
For people who want to hear the sound and colors of the actual battle – from how the snipers work to how wounded soldiers were rescued a short film of actual videos recorded by both the Socom troopers and Maute terrorists (from recovered tapes) is shown on a television unit at the museum’s lounge.
The Socom, Dungca said, sent over 3,000 troop- ers to Marawi of whom about 1,000 were wounded, and 60, including students from the Special Forces, Scout Rangers and policemen were killed.
Outside the building is a Noble Wounded Warrior Monument crafted by a Kapampangan artist erected at the height of Marawi Siege which is dedicated to all wounded in action com- rades established by the Socom Foundation, Inc.
