ILIGAN CITY (January 25)— Three soldiers were wounded in an encounter with the remnants of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group in Lanao del Sur on Thursday morning January 24.
Col. Romeo Brawner, the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the clash broke out in Sultan Dumalondong town at about 8:10 a.m., when the troops chanced upon a group of 24 followers of Owaida Benito Marohombsar alias Abu Dar.
Brawner said they are still verifying reports from the community that there were casualties from the enemy’s side, “Initial report we received they have casualties.”
He did not reveal the names of the wounded soldiers but said two belong to the Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion and the other from 82nd Infantry Battalion.
The wounded soldiers “were immediately extricated from the encounter site for medical treatment.”
He called on the residents of the area not to panic and advised them not to evacuate saying “Ee have everything under control,” he added.
Major Gen. Roseller Murillo, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, said, “The armed encounter is the result of our relentless campaign against Maute IS remnants and the Abu Dar group.”-DIvina M. Suson
