Two soldiers were killed and at least 10 others were wounded as renewed clashes continue in the hinterland of Butig, Lanao del Sur between government forces and local jihadists supporting the international terrorist group Islamic State (IS).
The offensive was launched after the militants moved back
into territory that the military secured during deadly clashes in February, the
military said.
At least 1,517 individuals, consisting of 252 families, took
refuge at the house of their relatives in the nearby towns of Butig, including
this city, according to Maharlanny Alonto, head of Lanao del Sur provincial
social welfare and development office.
She said affected as of Sunday were the villages of Coloyan,
Samer, Bayabao, Poctan, Raya Timbab, Sandab and Ragayan.The displaced families
were given relief assistance, she added.
On Monday, government forces incessantly pounded the lair of
the jihadists. Ground troops were supported by artillery fire and aerial
bombardment of OV-10 aircrafts from the Philippine Air Force.
Lanao del Sur police chief, Senior Supt. Rustom Duran, said
police forces backed the military operation by assuring that “no other armed
group could provide support to the local terrorists and to ensure that none of
its members could escape from the ongoing firefight.”
Col. Roseller Murillo, commander of Marawi city-based Army’s
103rd Infantry Brigade, said the fresh operation was merely “law enforcement”
against the criminals.
The police and military did not provide other details
pertaining the operation.
The IS Ranao (Lanao), previously known as Khilafah Islamiyah
Movement (KIM), claimed responsibility for the first attack on May 26 in
Dilabayan village saying that “two six-by-six trucks of taghut (tyrants) forces
were ambushed and humiliated.”
The group alleged that they staged the ambush after the
government forces bombed their site on May 25.
The jihadists also said they shut down three tanks, one of
which was hit by a landmine.
Authorities denied the claim. They said 20 members of the
local terrorist group (LTG) were killed.
Various sources on Monday, however, confirmed only eight
people died from the side of the jihadists.
The LTG, also known as Maute Group (avoiding the name of
notorious IS or ISIS ), was said to have been
weaken two months ago after their camp was captured by the military. The camp
was turned over later in March to the local government unit of Butig.
Last month, the militants abducted six sawmill workers and
decapitated two of the hostages – Salvador Hanobas alias Tado and Makol Hanobas
alias Macky – they accused of spying for the government. The process of
beheading was mimicked from the IS in Syria
and Iraq
Earlier this month, the group also claimed responsibility in
the toppling down Tower 25 of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines
(NGCP) saying that they aimed to “control the National Power Corporation” that
continuously use resources owned by Muslims in Mindanao, referring to Lake
Lanao which produced 60 percent power to Mindanao Grid for decades.
There were also reports from intelligence authorities that
IS Ranao has begun this month the “migration” of local and foreign jihadists to
Butig, where the group has purported the established “Islamic caliphate state”
and where they can engaged in fighting for jihad or holy war.
The military has been battling other jihadists’ groups in
Sulu, Basilan and Maguindanao, all provinces belonging to the troubled Muslim
autonomous region in Southern Philippines .
http://www.manilatimes.net/2-soldiers-killed-10-wounded/265113/
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