Army pursuing IS-linked militants in Lanao del Sur

ILIGAN CITY — The military on Friday launched pursuit operations against Islamic State-linked militants in the hinterlands of Madalum, Lanao del Sur.

Lieutenant Colonel Andy Soriano, commander of the Army’s 12th Battalion of the Civil Military Operations Regiment, said the operations followed civilian reports the remnants of the Maute group are recruiting among the locals.

The Maute group used to lead recruitment of IS militants in Lanao del Sur, who later saw battle during the siege of Butig town in 2016 and of Marawi City in 2017.

Although down to a handful of hard core members, the IS remnants in Lanao del Sur are able to persist by limiting  movements in the fringes, often with support from relatives who host their stay in the remote communities.

Soriano said the Air Force deployed FA50 planes to launch an airstrike in a pinpointed lair of the terrorists, sending them on the run.

The clashes are still ongoing as of posting time./lzb