REGION | Westmincom retakes Butig town from Maute militants

A school building in Butig, Lanao del Sur that Moro jihadists occupied earlier this year as they fought soldiers advancing from different directions. John Unson, file | By Roel Pareño via Philstar

           

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Government forces have recaptured the town hall and other areas occupied by the Islamic State-inspired Maute group in Butig town, Lanao del Sur, military officials said.

 

This, as the death toll from the Maute group increased to 35, according to Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command. He said the militant group also had five of its members wounded in the fighting.

 

Tan said 13 soldiers were wounded in the offensive to retake the area, which the Palace said Sunday had been abandoned by many of the town's residents after a similar attack by the Maute group in May.

 

The troops recaptured the area after intense fighting on the ground supported by artillery and air bombardment.

 

About 200 to 300 militants occupied the area on Saturday and forced 16,000 residents to flee.

 

Government troops penetrated the abandoned town hall Monday morning and pulled down the black flag, which the Maute group raised over the strife-torn town.

 

They then raised the Philippine flag and declared the town liberated.

 

Tan said that there was an ongoing clearing operation by the 103rd Infantry Brigade as of noon. He said Philippine Air Force planes have been dropping bombs in target areas.