First of 2 parts
MARAWI CITY, Philippines – 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.
The first part of this documentary, Inside the Warzone, was first launched in Digicon 2017 by Rappler, in partnership with Group of Five, Inc and the Internet Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP). Bookmark the Newsbreak page and watch out for Part 2: The Cost of the War, under "Rich Media".
For optimum experience, open the video on the YouTube app and use VR-glasses or a Google Cardboard Viewer. To navigate the scenes using a mouse or a trackpad on desktop, you can click and drag to a desired direction.
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 top terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute. Exactly 5 months since the war started on October 23, the military announced the official end of fighting in Marawi. – Rappler.com