IN PHOTOS: Marawi soldiers fight the biggest battle of their lives

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino soldiers are battle-tested by decades of insurgency and rebellion. But the war in Marawi City is different. 

Urban warfare proved to be a challenge for troops used to fighting in the jungles, but they pushed on despite the unfamiliar terrain. 

A total of 157 soldiers and 6 cops gave their lives to liberate the city from the country’s most dangerous local terrorist groups. 

Rappler correspondent Bobby Lagsa was in Marawi City since the beginning of the war. Here are his photos from the early weeks of the war – before the military barred the media from the battle area – and during the declaration of the city’s liberation from “terrorist influence.”

– Rappler.com