6 killed in Army encounter with Maute Group in Lanao de Sur

ILIGAN CITY— Six people were killed, including a soldier and two civilians, in a clash between troops of the 49th Infantry Battalion and remnants of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group in Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur, around 5 a.m. on Thursday, a military official said.

Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Task Force Ranao, said two of the three bodies recovered after the encounter were identified only as alias Mobarak and alias Popular, who were known sub-leaders of the Maute Group under Owayda Benito Marohomsar, alias Abu Dar.

The military also recovered two M16 rifles with long magazine, five short magazines, 1 IED with triggering device, 17 cellular phones, 2 tablets, 1 ICOM radio and a rifle scope.

A soldier, whose identity was not yet disclosed, was killed in action while two civilians were caught in the crossfire.  /ee