CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY(January 30) — Government troops clashed with fighters of the Dawlah Islamiya–Maute Group (DI-MG) in Lanao del Sur on Thursday, prompting residents of nearby upland villages to flee temporarily as the military intensified its pursuit of militants linked to the recent killing of four soldiers in Lanao del Norte.
Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey Barroquillo Jr., commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1ID), said the firefight erupted in Barangay Udalo, Piagapo town, after soldiers from the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade encountered the armed group during a patrol.
The militants retreated in different directions following the brief exchange. No casualties were reported among government troops.
Recovered at the site were an M14 rifle and five backpacks, suggesting the group was moving supplies through the area, the Army said.
Families seek temporary shelter
Local officials confirmed that families from communities near the encounter site left their homes as a precaution amid fears of renewed clashes.
The Piagapo Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said it is coordinating with barangay officials to monitor the situation and assess the needs of affected residents.
“Some families moved to safer areas after the encounter,” a municipal disaster official said. “We are on standby to provide assistance should the displacement continue.”
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also said local social workers are prepared to augment food packs and relief support if evacuations persist.
Military authorities said troops are working closely with local government units and community leaders to minimize civilian disruption and avoid operations near populated areas.
“All military actions are conducted with utmost regard for civilian safety,” Barroquillo said.
Pursuit tied to deadly ambush
The Army said the operation forms part of heightened security measures following the Jan. 23 ambush in Munai, Lanao del Norte, where four soldiers were killed, an attack authorities have linked to Dawlah Islamiya factions operating across provincial boundaries.
“These operations are directly linked to our duty to pursue those responsible for the attack against our troops,” Barroquillo said. “We will not relent.”
Persistent threat
The Dawlah Islamiya–Maute Group, an Islamic State–aligned extremist network that traces its roots to the group behind the 2017 Marawi siege, has been weakened but not eliminated, security officials said. Small cells continue to operate in Lanao del Sur and neighboring provinces, relying on mobility and familiarity with rugged terrain.
While the group no longer holds territory, the military warned that its presence continues to pose a security and humanitarian risk, as armed encounters near villages often force civilians to evacuate.
Pursuit operations remain ongoing as authorities balance security objectives with the need to protect communities caught in the crossfire.
