Marawi in 360: Inside the War Zone

First of 2 parts

Watch Part 2: Marawi in 360: The Cost of War

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines (UPDATED) – What was the war in Marawi actually like? What did it look like from inside the main battle area? How bad has the destruction been?

Experience firsthand what has been left by the battles in Marawi, and the challenges faced by the Philippine military through the region’s first-ever, virtual-reality war documentary. Explore the destroyed buildings, hear the gunshots, and see the streets of Marawi like never before from every angle, in 360 degrees.

This first part of the documentary, Inside the War Zone, was launched in Digicon 2017 by Rappler, in partnership with Group of Five Incorporated and the Internet Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines. 

For optimum experience, open the video on the YouTube app, click the glasses icon on the bottom right of the screen, and use VR glasses or a Google Cardboard Viewer. To navigate the scenes in 360, use a mouse or a trackpad on desktop to click and drag to a desired direction. If you’re viewing on mobile, you can move your phone around or use your finger to explore.

On May 23, the military entered Marawi City and raided a safe house where Isnilon Hapilon, the so-called emir of ISIS in Southeast Asia, was reportedly spotted. He escaped, but his supporters went out into the streets, waving black Islamic State flags. The terrorists were led by the homegrown Maute Group.

It turned into a full-fledged war between the military and the terrorists.

On October 16, a military assault finally killed and another top terrorist leader, Omar Maute. Exactly 5 months since the war started on October 23, the military announced the official end of fighting in Marawi. – Rappler.com