5 soldiers so far killed, 7 hurt in clashes with Moro insurgents in Lanao Sur – Army

ILIGAN CITY — The military said five soldiers were killed while seven others were wounded in the fighting with Moro insurgents in Butig, Lanao del Sur.

This confirmation came after reports circulated that more government troops were killed in the weeklong clashes.

Col. Roseller Murillo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 103rd Brigade, dismissed the reports as “nothing but propaganda.”

Murillo said reports from the ground revealed that at least 55 armed men were killed.

“Thirty-three (of the 55) have names, but only five bodies were counted,” he said.

“There’s a posibility that some have fled Butig,” Murillo said.

He added that the military is planning to raise the Philippine flag inside the camp armed group’s camp in the village of Puktan that was recently overrun by the government.

Murillo said there has been no shelling since Monday as government troops have been conducting clearing operations.  SFM