ZAMBOANGA CITY — At least 11 members of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group were killed while five others were wounded in the ongoing offensive to flush out the militants that occupied parts of Butig, Lanao del Sur, a military official said.
Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said two soldiers have been slightly wounded since government troops started Saturday their major offensive against an estimated 200 militants.
Tan said the occupation of Maute group members forced residents from other areas in Butig to flee their homes.
The military official also said that the group reportedly raised an ISIS flag in an abandoned building near the town hall.
Tan said they were expecting the actions of the Maute who have professed allegiance to the foreign-based terror group to gain support.
“This is still part of the Maute group’s agenda in courting support and encouraging similar minded individuals to support ISIS,” he said.
“The AFP will continue to frustrate their sinister objective,” he added.
Tan said military forces would continue their offensive to prevent the situation from escalating or spilling to other areas.
Col. Roseller Murillo, the commander of the 103rd Brigade, earlier said that troops are continuously moving in from different positions to push back the militants.