Butig town in Lanao del Sur on its way to normalcy –military

Security situation in Butig town in Lanao del Sur is expected to return to normal soon after the military overran the camp of the armed group Maute following days of sporadic fighting.

At present, the military is conducting clearing operations in several villages in the town affected by the clashes, according to Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, the Armed Forces spokesman.

"This is [part of] the process back to normalization, we are trying to expedite all the activities that we need to do so that people can return back to their residence and resume their normal lives," Padilla said Tuesday.

On Tuesday morning, a flag-raising ceremony was held in an area in Barangay Poktan that used to be the lair of the Maute group led by brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute.

Padilla said the flag-raising ceremony was followed by a ceremonial turnover of the area by the military to the local government.

He said the military and local leaders are set to hold a meeting on Wednesday regarding the return of the displaced families to their homes.

"Although clearing operations will still continue, a consultative meeting between the military forces in the area as well as the local govt officials down to the barangay level will be conducted tomorrow to discuss return to normalization of the area and the eventual return of all residents," he said.

More than 2,000 residents have fled their homes since last week following the clashes between the military and the Maute group.

Six soldiers were killed in the clashes while 24 were reported from the side of the Maute group.

Padilla said clearing operations in adjacent areas from the captured Maute camp will continue "until all security issues are addressed." —Elizabeth Marcelo/KBK, GMA News