In this June 2016 file photo, soldiers from the 103rd Brigade of the Philippine Army, are in hot pursuit of the Maute criminal group n Butig town in Lanao del Sur . (Photo by : Richel V. Umel, Inquirer Mindanao)
DAVAO CITY — The military has “recovered” 85 to 90 percent of Butig town, Lanao del Sur, from the hands of the Maute group, a military spokesperson said Wednesday.
Major Felimon Tan, the spokesperson of the Western Mindanao Command based in Zamboanga City, said in a text message that since Thursday last week, 61 Maute gang men have been killed as troops have been inching forward into central Butig. Twelve other Maute group members were wounded, he said.
Tan said 35 soldiers have been injured since the fighting began. SFM
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