About 60 alleged terrorists attack an army patrol base in Butig town
RED CROSS TO THE RESCUE. A Red Cross team in Butig town to assist evacuees. Contributed photo
LANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – About 2,000 residents fled Butig, Lanao del Sur, on Wednesday, February 24, following clashes between soldiers and alleged terrorists that killed two soldiers and 6 other armed men, including an Indonesian.
Authorities said the fighting began Saturday, February 20, after 60 armed men attacked an army patrol base in Butig town. The military refers to the armed group as Local and Foreign Terrorist Organization, avoiding any reference to ISIS (Islamic State), which intelligence reports showed has begun operating in this part of Mindanao.
Two soldiers were killed in the attack while an Indonesian was slain along with 5 other armed men from the side of the terrorists, the military said.
Authorities identified the Indonesian as Mohammad Muktar.
The attack prompted the army to launch a full-scale operation in the area.
Jennie Tamano, provincial information officer of Lanao del Sur, said that 2,067 people have been evacuated from the area and are now in Marawi City.
The clashes followed an ambush of an army convoy last February 16 in Barangay Cadapaan along Wato-Balindong town, that killed one soldier.
Intelligence reports said the ISIS may soon declare a wilayat or province in the southern Philippines, following the circulation in January this year of an ISIS-inspired video from Mindanao.
The military has dismissed this claim even if the Moro Islamic Liberation confirmed ISIS recruitment in Central Mindanao.
In November last year, 8 members of a criminal group – including an alleged Indonesian bomb maker – were killed in a clash with government troops in Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat.
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