6 gov’t troops, 2 suspected Maute members killed in Lanao clash

Six state soldiers and two suspected Maute Group members were killed in a military operation in Munai, Lanao del Norte on Sunday, the Philippine Army said on Monday.

Army public affairs office chief Colonel Louie Dema-ala added that four government troops and several other Maute members were also wounded in the operation.

The 44th Infantry Battalion and 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion were the involved government units, according to Dema-ala.

“Pursuit operation is ongoing and this is part of the continuing efforts to neutralize the perpetrators of Mindanao State University bombing,” he added.

In a statement, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the operation is part of the continuing efforts after the military neutralized 18 suspected Maute members.

“In continuation of this effort, an operation was launched last February 18 resulting to 2 more dead among the enemy and several others wounded based on intelligence information,” he said.

“However, six of our valiant soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice while another four were wounded,” he added.

Brawner expressed condolences to the families of the slain soldiers and vowed that the military will defeat the Maute Group.

“As the CSAFP, I assure their families and every Filipino that justice will be meted and all efforts will be exhausted in pursuit of the enemy,” he said.

“Our troops are motivated to finish the job and accomplish our mission of defeating local terrorist groups once and for all,” he added.

The AFP earlier said that the alleged mastermind in the deadly MSU bombing and Maute amir Khadafi Mimbesa or “Engineer” was killed in an operation in Lanao del Sur in January.

On December 3, 2023, four people were killed while 45 others were hurt after the blast occurred at the Dimaporo Gymnasium at MSU. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News