3 soldiers wounded in Lanao del Sur clash with Maute group

ILIGAN CITY–Three soldiers of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army were wounded after an encounter with the remnants of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group led by Benito Owayda Marohombsar, also known as Abu Dar, in one of the towns in Lanao del Sur.

Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr., commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, said the brigade clashed with the armed groups while doing an operation in the area past 8 a.m. on January 24.

Brawner said they were still verifying reports that there were casualties on the other side. Firefight is still ongoing.

The clash with 30 armed men in the hinterland village of Sumalindao, Sultan Dumalondong town of Lanao del Sur began at 8:10 a.m. Thursday.

The military claims that Dar is the emir of the IS-inspired group hiding in the hinterlands and the forested areas of Pagayawan and Pualas since June last year. /lzb

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