Troops pursuing IS-Maute in Lanao

MANILA, Philippines — Government forces in pursuit operations against Islamic State-Maute (IS-Maute) terrorists in Lanao del Sur caught up with the fleeing terrorists yesterday morning, triggering another round of heavy fighting in the mountains of Sultan Dumalondon town.

Col. Romeo Brawner, commander of the Marawi City-based 103rd Infantry Brigade from the 55th Infantry Battalion, 11th and 15th Division Reconnaissance Companies, said despite heavy rains the soldiers were outflanking the well-entrenched IS-Maute group headed by Owayda Benito Marohambsar, alias Abu Dar.

“Renewed fighting broke out today and is currently ongoing just a few kilometers from the terrorists’ captured camp as our troops caught with (the IS-Maute) at around 9:30 a.m.,” Brawner said.

Brawner added that he was waiting for an initial after-battle report but said ground troops were certain that Abu Dar was with the IS-Maute remnants. 

The new IS-Maute leader escaped two days of Army assault on their newly established camp in the outskirts of Barangay Sumalindao Thursday and Friday before the area was seized by the soldiers.

Along with around 20 loyal followers, Abu Dar retreated deeper into the jungle, preventing the military from dropping bombs due to thick clouds and heavy rains.

The terrorists split in small group but decided to regroup after soldiers intercepted their three colleagues as they moved out of the conflict zone, posing as ordinary civilians.

Meanwhile, as fighting raged, troops from the 49th IB were also deployed close to the area where the fighting was ongoing, to further constrict the terrorists’ movements.

“We know they’re already starving and we hope that this time we will finally get him,” Brawner said.

The military tagged Abu Dar as one of the IS-Maute planners of the May 23, 2017 terrorist attack and occupation of Marawi City.

Being one of the key leaders of the group, he took over leadership of the IS-Maute remnants following their defeat in Marawi City in the five months of fighting that resulted to the deaths of IS Southeast Asia designated leader Isnilon Hapilon and the Maute brothers Omarkayan and Abdullah. – With Lino Cruz