42 members of rebel group in Lanao Sur killed in clashes —military official

GMA News (Feb 26): 42 members of rebel group in Lanao Sur killed in clashes —military official

At least 42 members of a local rebel group have been killed in clashes with government forces since Saturday in Lanao del Sur, the military claimed Friday.

But Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesman of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, said government troops have recovered four bodies, so far.

 Citing intelligence reports, Tan said: “More or less 42 were killed on the enemy side.”

Meanwhile, News To Go on Friday reported that the death toll on the rebels' side has gone up to 50.

 Quoting military sources, the report also said that five government forces have already been killed in the ongoing operation in Butig town.

On the other hand, Tan claimed that the group is led by brothers Abdullah and Omar Maute, who supposedly have links with the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah.

Also, he said government troops on Thursday seized a stronghold of the group, and that the fatalities on the government side stood at four on Thursday.

Military materiel recovered during the operations were two M16 rifles, two rocket propelled grenades and a home-made cal. 50 rifle, Tan said.

The fighting broke out on the evening of Feb. 20 when the rebels attacked a military detachment in Butig. Government reinforcements came in, leading to a full-blown military campaign. 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/556869/news/regions/42-members-of-rebel-group-in-lanao-sur-killed-in-clashes-military-official