Suspected Maute Group member slain in Lanao del Sur raid

ILIGAN CITY – An alleged member of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group was killed when troops of the Army’s 49th Infantry Battalion raided a hideout at 9 a.m.Thursday, in Barangay Sawer, Masiu, Lanao del Sur.

The military identified Zainal Candidato, the alleged Maute group member, through the documents and identification cards recovered from the area,
Major Ronald Suscano, chief of the 1st Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office, said.

Suscano said the military was informed about five unidentified men, with firearms, occupying a house in the area a week before the raid.

“A brief firefight lasted for 10 minutes as the operating troops were fired upon as they approached the area,” Suscano said.

Other documents showed that Panarigan Tama Baoraki alias Golden Boy and Hadji Rasul Amimbering were in the area and believed to be two of the four armed men who were able to escape during the firefight. Both were alleged leaders of the lawless group and supporters of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group in Lanao del Sur.

Soldiers recovered three M16 rifles, two rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) Launchers, two grenades, ISIS Banners, six sachets of suspected shabu, other drug paraphernalias, and one cellular phone.