DWDD: NEUTRALIZED | Toll among Maute Group members now 37

From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Jun 2): NEUTRALIZED | Toll among Maute Group members now 37

COTABATO CITY (DWDD) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines is relentless in their operations against the 300-member Maute terror group” in the town of Butig, Lanao del Sur.

The group is responsible for blowing up transmission lines of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, series of attacks on government positions and for kidnapping six sawmill workers in Iligan City, where two of whom were subsequently beheaded.

Casualties during encounters earlier this year

According to Colonel Roseller Murillo, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, they have 37 Maute members confirmed neutralized in renewed offensive, which was triggered by the group’s harassment of government forces protecting a village where fighting had broken out earlier this year.

Currently, aside from ground troops and armor, the AFP is using its artillery and air assets to force the surrender of this group believed hiding deep in the forests of Barangay Ragayan, where fighting continues to rage.

Col Murillo added that as long as there are terrorists in the villages of Butig, their operation will continue against the group who have sworn allegiance to the terror group Daesh.

So far, 2,000 civilians have fled from Barangay Ragayan and nearby villages to escape the fighting, while two soldiers — Privates First Class Danilo Allaga at Mark Ferdinand Ortaliza — have given their lives in the pursuit of peace and security in Lanao Del Sur. AES / MCAG

http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/neutralized-toll-among-maute-group-members-now-37/