LANAO DEL SUR - The Maute terrorist group has allegedly occupied Butig, Lanao del Sur once again, just five months after the military managed to free the town from its clutches.
Reports say the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched a major offensive against the Maute Group, prompting them to occupy the town hall, national high school and mosque in Butig.
The group also removed the Philippine flag from the town hall and replaced it with that of the Islamic State (ISIS). They hung similar flags on some houses.
Heavy firefight can be heard from all over the town, with at least two soldiers already sustaining minor injuries.
As of posting time, there are reportedly around 200 Maute members in the town. They hail from different parts of Mindanao like Basilan and Maguindanao, most of them returnees to the Islamist group.
This military in June captured Camp Darul Iman in Butig, said to be the final stronghold of the Maute terrorist group.
Last October, authorities also arrested three Maute group members who were allegedly behind the deadly September 2 blast in Davao City.
Though no direct link has yet been established with ISIS, the Maute groups alleged leaders Omar and Abdullah Maute have already pledged allegiance to the terrorist group and even use their name and symbol.
- With reports from Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News
Reports say the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched a major offensive against the Maute Group, prompting them to occupy the town hall, national high school and mosque in Butig.
The group also removed the Philippine flag from the town hall and replaced it with that of the Islamic State (ISIS). They hung similar flags on some houses.
Heavy firefight can be heard from all over the town, with at least two soldiers already sustaining minor injuries.
As of posting time, there are reportedly around 200 Maute members in the town. They hail from different parts of Mindanao like Basilan and Maguindanao, most of them returnees to the Islamist group.
This military in June captured Camp Darul Iman in Butig, said to be the final stronghold of the Maute terrorist group.
Last October, authorities also arrested three Maute group members who were allegedly behind the deadly September 2 blast in Davao City.
Though no direct link has yet been established with ISIS, the Maute groups alleged leaders Omar and Abdullah Maute have already pledged allegiance to the terrorist group and even use their name and symbol.
- With reports from Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News