4 soldiers hurt in encounter with suspected Maute supporters

Four soldiers were wounded in an encounter with suspected Maute supporters in Lanao del Sur early Tuesday, the military said.

The military detachment checkpoint in Marantao was attacked by about 20 Maute supporters in Marantao town past 5 a.m., which resulted in an hour of fighting, Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Joint Task Force Ranao said.

One of the suspected Maute supporters was killed from the firefight, while the government casualties also sustained minor injuries.

Security forces also recovered a rocket propelled grenade and ammunition of an M60 light machine gun.

The incident caused a tighter checkpoint at the opening of classes in Mindanao State University, located three kilometers from the place of the encounter.

The gun battle between IS-linked Maute terrorist group and government forces in Marawi City, the capital of Lanao del Sur, reached the 92nd day on Tuesday. JE