Troops overrun terrorist camp in Lanao del Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Government troops overran the main enclave of the terrorist group in a village of Butig town, Lanao del Sur during its final assault Sunday afternoon, military officials said Monday.

The assault left an undetermined casualties from the Jemaah Islamiyah-inspired terrorist group led by the Maute brothers during the assault and clearing operation at Barangay Puktan.

Maj. Felimon Tan Jr., spokesman of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said based on reports of Col. Roseller Murillo, commander of the 103rd Army Brigade who oversaw the assault, the militants were dragging away their casualties to hide from pursuing troops.

Murillo also reported there was no casualty on the troops during the offensive operation.

Tan said that the troops conducted the clearing operations at their designated sectors and moved forward to Puktan that was cleared about 4:20 p.m. Sunday.

“The troops were cautious in moving forward to their final assault as the area was rigged with several IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and booby traps set up by the terrorists,” Tan said.

He said the clearing operations were also conducted in several barangays were the militants took control.

Tan said during the clearing operations at Barangay Puktan, the troops initially recovered several rounds of 81-millimeter mortars rigged as IEDs and fragmentation grenades set as booby traps.

“Troops continue to scour the barangay area and clear it from booby traps and IEDs,” Tan said.