3 soldiers, 2 Maute gunmen killed in Lanao clash

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 15, 2019): 3 soldiers, 2 Maute gunmen killed in Lanao clash

Two Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-linked Maute followers and three soldiers were killed while three other troops were missing following an intense firefight in Lanao del Sur, military officials said Friday.

Col. Gerry Besana, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) information officer, disclosed the firefight broke out around 5:04 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Dinaigan, Tubaran, Lanao del Sur.

Besana said the firefight with 10 Daesh-inspired Maute fighters erupted while the troops were on security operations in Barangay Dinaigan, Tubaran. It lasted for over an hour and resulted in the death of three soldiers and two Maute followers.

He said the troops recovered the remains of the two slain Maute followers as well as two M-16 Armalite rifles with attached M-203 grenade launchers, a caliber .45 pistol, a hand grenade, a rifle grenade, several types of ammunition, and a bandolier.

He said three other soldiers were reported “missing in action”.

The military declined to release the identities of the slain and missing soldiers, except that they belong to the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion. The remains of the slain soldiers were taken to Iligan City for proper disposition.

“We condole with the families of our departed comrades, who fought valiantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice. We lost not only brave warriors but comrades who served the nation with such devotion,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Westmincom chief.

“We are advancing upon the enemy target with deliberate offensives, hitting and inflicting heavy casualties on Maute fighters,” dela Vega said.

He said they are more motivated to continue the fight against spoilers of peace and progress here in Mindanao despite the death of the three soldiers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1064690