90% of Butig residents flee amid military offensive vs. Maute Group

Almost the entire population of Butig town in Lanao del Sur have fled as firefights continue between members of the Maute Group and the military.

Butig Mayor Dimnatang Pansar said on Sunday that at least 16,000 residents or 90 percent of the town's entire population have fled to Marawi City and other nearby areas in Lanao del Sur to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Col. Roseller Murillo, commander of the Philippine Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade, said at least 300 members of the Maute Group have reoccupied a certain area of Butig town.

Majority of members of the Maute Group are residents of Butig town.

Murillo said that the bandit group is now reinforced by bandits from Maguindanao province.

The military was able to seize the town from the Maute Group late February after a week-long offensive.

The Maute Group, however, returned to Butig town and raised an ISIS flag at the old and abandoned municipal building, which prompted the military to launch an offensive on Saturday.

"Kinuha nila ang area na 'yun na dati'y sila naman ang nakatira doon eh. After the February [offensive] ang mga sibilyan na lumikas 'di naman bumalik doon, ang part doon ng munisipyo ay relatives of the Mautes," Murillo said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday said at least 11 members of the Maute Group have been killed and five more bandits and two soldiers have been wounded in the firefights.

The town mayor said some residents are helping the Maute Group.

"Matitino naman ang mga taga-Butig eh, pero may mga iilan na tinutulungan ang mga taong galing sa labas kaya nangyayari ito," Pansar said. —with reports from Richel Umel/ALG, GMA News