Army troops seize Maute-ISIS camp in Lanao del Sur

Photo from Army’s 103rd Brigade.

MANILA, Philippines — Government troops took over a camp held by Maute-ISIS Group following heavy fighting in Lanao del Sur, the military said Friday.

Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., commander of the 103rd Brigade, told Radyo Inquirer that they seized control of the camp located at the hinterlands of Sultan Dumalondong town early Friday.

The rebels were led by Abu Dar, the current leader of the Dawlah Islamiyah, formerly known as the Maute-ISIS Group.

Brawner said the rebels have escaped and security forces are currently pursuing them.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa din ang operation…Umatras sila so hinahanap natin,” he said.

The takeover of the camp came before the assault of government troops against the remnants of the Maute-ISIS on Thursday.

Three soldiers who were wounded from the fighting are now in stable condition, Brawner said, claiming that three armed men were killed.

Sultan Dumalondong is located about 50 kilometers from Marawi City, where ISIS-inspired terrorists laid siege to the city for five months in 2017.

Brawner urged the residents not to panic from the tension because they are in control of the situation.

“Kahapon may mga gusto mag-evacuate sabi namin huwag na dahil kontrolado namin ang sitwasyon,” he said. /jpv

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