Six killed, three hurt in military offensive vs. Maute group

BUTIG, Lanao del Sur - Six men were reported killed and three others were wounded Wednesday in an ongoing counterterrorism military operation against the Maute local terrorist group in Butig, Lanao del Sur.

Col. Roseller G. Murillo, commanding officer of 103rd Army Brigade based in Kampo Ranao in Marawi City, said in a text message to GMA News Online that of the six fatalities, one was a member of the Scout Rangers while five were from the Maute Group. The three injured were Scout Rangers.

"The fierce firefight took place in west and southern part of the forested hill in the village of Sandab at seven o'clock in the morning," Murillo said.

"Based on the report from the ground, an estimated 100 fully armed local terrorist  group were encountered by government forces," Murillo said.

He added there will be no letup in the operations against the Maute Group "until it would be neutralized."

Murillo did not disclose the name of the the lone fatality.

Military sources identified the wounded members of the 1st Scout Ranger Company of the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion under 103rd Brigade as Private First Class Lloyd A. Saranglao, PFC Herbert Bulok-bulok, and PFC Amelito B. Lumingkit. The three were brought to an undisclosed  hospital.

"The firefight is still going on while other military troops occupied the villages left by Maute local terrorists group after the first week of intense firefight," Murillo added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has earlier warned the Maute Group not to force him to declare war.

"Dito sa Maute, I said I do not want to declare war against Filipinos, but I told them that they have to stop. Sana huwag na lang tayo umabog sa giyera," Duterte said. —KG, GMA News