Troops to retake Lanao town from IS-inspired group

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Government forces charged into a battle in an effort to retake Butig town occupied by an Islamic State-inspired militant group in Lanao del Sur, according to a military commander on ground.

The Maute terrorist group, espousing the IS with about 200 followers, occupied Saturday Butig's town hall, school and mosque. Butig is a town in Lanao del Sur which the Maute group occupied five months ago but was later on flushed out.  

Col. Roseller Murillo, commander of the 103rd Army Brigade, said a major offensive operation was launched to flush out the militant group.

Murillo did not report any casualty yet on the part of the militants as troops cautiously move closer to their targets. 

“Ongoing offensive as of this time. We will push further in the coming days,” Murillo said.

According to Murillo, firefight erupted Saturday morning as troops attempted to recapture the town hall.

He said as of press time, they experienced lull situation with troops going to many directions.

The Maute group Camp Darul Iman in Butig was captured in June this year after it attacked the military base.