President Duterte poses with soldiers inside the main battle area in Marawi on Thursday. Army PHOTO
President Duterte returned to Marawi on Thursday, the same day soldiers were reported to have recaptured the Grand Mosque in the war-ravaged city.
Photos from Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go showed Mr. Duterte in fatigues, wearing a helmet and vest.
This was the third time that Mr. Duterte visited the city since fighting broke out between government forces and pro-Islamic State extremist groups in the area.
The conflict had prompted him to put Mindanao under martial law.
President Duterte in full battle dress with Bong Go
Duterte, who arrived at 4 p.m. by chopper from Cagayan de Oro City, was accompanied by Defense Secretary Hermoges Esperon, Armed Forces Chief Gen. Eduaro Año and Go.
Duterte, as usual, spoke before troops stationed inside the main battle area, repeating his earlier pledge to look after them.
He also congratulated them “for a job well done” in fighting the Maute group, the JTF Marawi said.
Duterte spent more than an hour with the soldiers, to whom, he also gave food packs and wristwatches. With a report from Nestor Corrales