Visayas lauds troop efforts in retaking abandoned Butig municipal hall from Maute Group

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 1): Visayas lauds troop efforts in retaking abandoned Butig municipal hall from Maute Group

As government finally retaken the abandoned Butig municipal hall from the clutches of the Maute Group, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya on Wednesday lauded the heroism and sacrifice made by military units conducting the dislodgement operation against the bandits in Lanao Del Sur.

"It was not without the cost of life and limb of the lawless terrorist Maute Group, and the sweat and blood of our soldiers. But it has to be so to ensure that our people will live peacefully knowing that their soldiers are there to protect them," he said.

As of this posting, Maute Group dead now stands at 61 and 12 wounded with government troops wounded in action at 35.

"In order to fully defeat the enemies of the State, we need the support and cooperation of our people. We exhort them to be vigilant and resist the influence of terrorists and lawless groups," Visaya said.

Operations against the Maute Group are now on its fifth day with 85 to 90 percent of Butig already cleared of the brigands.

It started last Nov. 26 when the bandits, fearful of ongoing operations against them, decided to hole up in Butig.

The AFP offensive is headed by the 103rd Infantry Brigade which is now reinforced by armor, artillery, and air units.

The abandoned Butig municipal hall is the same one whom the terrorists tried to capture last February only to be foiled by government troops.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=944533