Maute militants raid Army detachment; 2 killed

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines – Suspected Maute terrorists attacked an Army detachment in Marantao, Lanao del Sur yesterday in what authorities said was an attempt to divert attention to the fighting in Marawi. Two militants were killed.

Village elders identified the fatalities as a certain Ekram and an alias Agakhan.

The Marantao police said four soldiers were wounded in the gunfight.

Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, spokesperson for the Western Mindanao Command and Joint Task Force Marawi (JTFM), said an undetermined number of militants attacked the detachment in Barangay Poblacion before 5 a.m.

 Petinglay said the troops recovered two rocket-propelled grenades, a grenade launcher and various ammunition. Members of the Barangay Police Action Team, Marawi police and soldiers from nearby detachments reinforced the troops during the gunfight that lasted for more than an hour.

Police said the area was cleared at about 9:30 a.m.

“There is no truth to reports and text messages saying the incident caused a security lockdown in Marawi City,” Petinglay said.

The attack coincided with the opening of classes at the Mindanao State University (MSU).

Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, JTFM commander, said security was tightened in the premises of MSU following the attack.

Police and military personnel escorted around 600 students and MSU officials from Iligan, who arrived in 12 buses. They also provided security to the other students and university staff.

Marantao local officials urged the military to refrain from launching an airstrike, saying they will do everything to protect their communities.

“Nobody wanted to leave their homes so please don’t launch any airsrike...Just support us in fighting these terrorists,” Marantao Mayor Racma Abinal told a radio interview.  

Police station recovered

In Marawi, authorities have taken over a police station occupied by Maute militants, Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said yesterday.

“I just received a call from Task Force Marawi informing me that they have retaken the Marawi City police station... I’m happy…I congratulate everyone for the hard work,” Dela Rosa said during the 116th anniversary of the PNP at Camp Ruperto Kangleon in  Palo, Leyte yesterday.

Dela Rosa said government forces also recovered the remains of the deputy police chief and an investigator killed by Maute militants.

As this developed, Col. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman, said two more Maute militants and another soldier were killed in the fighting in Marawi yesterday.

“As of today, Aug. 22, 585 enemies and 129 soldiers have been killed,”Arevalo said.

Authorities said the terrorists are holed up in a few areas in two barangays. – John Unson, Roel Pareño, Jaime Laude, Miriam Desacada