Soldiers in Marawi possibly experiencing battle stress, but military says it has programs to address that

August 17, 2017

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the soldiers are possibly experiencing battle stress because of the fighting in Marawi City, which is entering its third month, but the military explained it has programs to address that.

“There is a possibility that our soldiers could have experienced battle stress considering the long drawn fight in Marawi,” said Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP Public Affairs Chief Thursday.

Arevalo said so far they do not have records of soldiers possibly suffering from battle stress.

“Based on available records, we do not yet have such kind of report,” he said.

“If in case there is, we have programs and publications for that and I want to mention the two handbooks published 2002 and 2012 and mentioned at least two programs that we already have even before the rebellion in Marawi,” he added.

Arevalo said soldiers have enough training to handle such situation and the military has a rotation policy to give the troops a chance to rest.

“We have enough training so that we can manage stressful situations like the perilous situation in the field... That is why we said we have prepared program for them. We have rotation which is being done to address our tired soldiers, " he said. Robina Asido/DMS