Suspected Maute sympathizer killed, four wounded in attack on military detachment in Lanao del Sur

August 22, 2017

A suspected Maute sympathizer was killed while four soldiers were wounded after an attack against a military detachment in Lanao del Sur.

Col. Romeo Brawner, Joint Task Force Ranao Deputy Commander, said a detachment located along the highway at the vicinity of Brgy. Poblacion, Marantao, Lanao del Sur around 5:20 am Monday.

Brawner said around 20 suspected sympathizers of the Maute terrorist group attacked the government forces at the checkpoint  and detachment in the area.

He said during the harassment, the checkpoint and the detachment were manned by a squad of police and another squad of military personnel.

Brawner said the fire fight, which lasted for at least an hour, resulted in the injury of four soldiers and the death of one armed man whose body was later found by the government forces.

He said the government troops also recovered war materials from the terrorist group sympathizers which included rocket propelled grenade and ammunition.

Brawner said the attack was believed to be a diversionary tactic "for us to divert our attention from the main battle area.”

However, Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP Public Affairs chief, also noted the possibility the group were intended to reinforce the Maute terrorists inside the main battle area in Marawi City.

“It is believed that they are intending to support the members of the Maute in the main battle area and if not for the immediate action of our troops they may be able to do or perform their sturdy plans,” he said. Robina Asido/DMS