3 soldiers, 42 militants killed in Lanao Sur clashes

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three soldiers and 42 militants have been killed as security forces continued their offensive against militants in Butig, Lanao del Sur.

” Our troops seized the stronghold of the terrorists yesterday. Sadly, three were killed and 11 wounded in action,” Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman for the Western Mindanao Command, said, referring to government troops.

The military operations started on Saturday after the militants attacked an Army detachment in Barangay Bayabao that left two soldiers dead and six others wounded. The clashes spilled over to Barangay Poktan and displaced several villagers.

Tan said brothers Omar, Abdulah and Maide Maute led the group of militants believed to have links with Jemaah Islamiyah, the regional terror cell affiliated with al-Qaeda.

Citing intelligence reports, Tan said Omar was among those killed while Abdullah and Maide were wounded.

Tan said armored personnel carriers were utilized during the operations.

Troops recovered a homemade Barrett .50-caliber sniper rifle and two M16s at the scene.

Not us – MILF

In a statement released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Von Al Haq said they received reports that the militants had identified themselves as members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

“We are very sad about the attacks in Lanao del Sur. We do not have anything to do with that. We make sure not to destroy our ceasefire agreement with the government,” Al Haq said.

Al Haq said they put up an evacuation center in Barangay Sandab for civilians caught in the crossfire.

“There are facilities. There are schools and other houses where the evacuees could seek temporary shelter,” Carlos Sol Jr., head of the government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities Secretariat, said of the evacuation center.

Sol said the MILF also repositioned its forces to prevent a misencounter with government forces.

In a separate statement, MILF commander Abdullah Macapaar urged the joint ceasefire committee to conduct an investigation into the attacks.