3 Maute supporters killed in Marantao attack; 4 soldiers hurt

One was killed while four soldiers were hurt Tuesday when armed men, believed to be supporters of the Maute terrorist group, opened fire on them in Marantao, Lanao del Sur.

GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo reported on News To Go that the military was able to repel the attack after an hour of firefight with the help of an airstrike.

The attack delayed the opening of classes at the Mindanao State University as officials had to lock the gates for security reasons. The gates were finally opened at 9 a.m. after security officials declared the situation under control.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the attack could be linked to the opening of classes at the MSU.

Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Joint Task Force Ranao, said more or less 20 armed men attacked the Army detachment along the highway, in front the Marantao municipal police station at around 5:20 a.m.

Brawner said the person killed belonged to the armed group.

“Ang result may isa tayong napatay sa kalaban, pero may wounded dito sa atin apat, pero slight wounds lang, mga shrapnel lang,” he said in an interview with reporters.

He said troops have recovered the body of killed enemy and firearms.

“May mga na-recover tayong mga baril tapos ‘yung patay sa kabila na-recover natin yung body. Tapos naka-recover tayo ng isang RPG, mga bala ng M60,” he said.

According to Police Superintendent Noel Lomente, Deputy Provincial Director for Operations, two other armed men were killed, including the alleged subleader identified as Nasser Imam Amboloto Lomundot, although their bodies were not recovered.

Lomente identified the wounded soldiers as Private First Class Alexis Bacaloscos, Stephyn Cabarles, Altiero Buscano and Angelito Galicia.

Brawner said the attack could be a diversionary tactic to divide the attention of government troops away from the main battle area in Marawi City.

“Ang nakikita namin na purpose nila parang diversionary tactics e, para mawala ‘yung attention dun sa main battle area, tapos possible na konektado dito sa, possible ha, we are not saying na konektado dito sa opening ng school ng MSU kasi ang lapit lang e, Marantao.," he said.

Brawner said the armed men's only intent was to harass the Army detachment and not to breach into Marawi City to join the remaining Maute group members.

The military had said that less than 40 Maute members are still in the war-torn city. —Akari Nakano/KBK/KVD/ALG, GMA News