Inspiring story of soldier in Marawi goes viral

MANILA — The story of a Filipino soldier who sacrificed himself to help the armed forces battle Maute terrorists at Marawi City has tugged at the hearts of people and gone viral on social media.

Private First Class Dhan Ryan Bayot, 24, a native of Zamboanga Sibugay province in Southwestern Philippines, was said to have radioed his superiors from the battleground to bomb his location, which was occupied by several Maute terrorists. He was part of the 51st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army fighting militants linked to the Islamic State in Marawi City.

His team, comprising 9 soldiers, were stationed at a detachment on May 24, the third day of the fighting. It was upon the request of a town mayor for added security as his residence was just above the detachment.

Moments later, the detachment was attacked. A survivor said that in addition to shots from both sides of the road, gunfire also came from the mayor’s house. Apparently, the mayor’s house was already captured by the terrorists or his bodyguards might have sympathised with the attackers.

Not long after, five of Bayot’s companions were killed. When told that reinforcements found it difficult to enter the area, he told his commander: “Just bomb my location, Sir!”.

His remains were retrieved on May 28 by government troops. Bayot’s face was barely recognisable.

Netizens have lauded the soldier’s courage. Facebook user Pingao Grace Mary wrote: “Snappy salute to you... Man like you are the real heroes or our country. Me and my entire family thank you for you bravery and sacrifices for our country.”

“May you Rest in peace Soldier. Thank you for putting up a good fight. And to all Soldiers, thank you for Risking your lives just to save ours. Salute!,” added Sandy Closa, another Facebook user.

Sergeant Larry Bayot of the 1st Infantry Battalion was at his son’s grave in Zamboanga City when contacted by The Manila Times. It was “painful” to lose his son, but the older Bayot said he took comfort in the fact that what his son did was “heroic.”

“Ryan was a man of his own word. He would always do whatever he said. He was a soldier, a hero and even before he died, he always looked after what would be the better for his fellow military men,” the father said.

On Wednesday (June 14), government forces continued to attack rebel positions in Marawi with bombs, tank fire and helicopter gunships, and plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the battered city. Some sniper shots could be heard as Islamist militants continued to hold parts of the city.

It was the 23rd day of fighting and there was no sign that it would end any time soon. In Washington, a security official who is familiar with the region said the battle in Marawi appeared to be locked in a stalemate.

American troops were on the ground near Marawi, but were not directly involved in the fighting, a Filipino military spokesman said Wednesday. The Filipino military has previously said the United States was providing technical assistance to end the occupation but it had no boots on the ground.

The older Bayot recalled that his son would always call his cousins in Zamboanga Sibugay and narrate every single detail of what happened during his missions, even during clashes with enemy forces.

His cousins, however, would tell him to run away. But the soldier would always refuse, saying it was his duty to fight and even die for the country.

“His last words to his cousins during a phone call was ‘I love you all.’ Imagine, the war is ongoing and he can still manage to text his cousins,” the older Bayot said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has awarded a posthumous medal to the soldier, P250,000 (S$6,969) cash, and a pledge to fund the education of one young surviving family member. AGENCIES