ZAMBOANGA CITY – Troops have killed in a firefight two Maute group stragglers, including an alleged closed aide of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, in Marawi City, a military official disclosed Thursday.
Col. Romeo Brawner, Joint Task Force Ranao deputy commander, disclosed two soldiers were also wounded in the firefight that happened around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the main battle area of Marawi City.
Brawner said the firefight broke out as the troops chanced upon the two Maute group stragglers while conducting continuous clearing operations to flush out the remnants of the terror group.
Brawner said the slain aide of Hapilon was identified as Abu Talja, whose remains and that of the other Maute group straggler have been recovered by the troops.
He said the two slain Maute group stragglers were foraging for food when the troops chanced upon them otherwise “they will stay inside” in their hiding places.
He said captured Indonesian extremist Muhammad Ilham Syahputra confided to them that the Maute group stragglers are already starving since they have not eat for days.
Syahputra, 22, was captured Wednesday morning by government forces in Barangay Loksadatu, Marawi City.
Government forces are conducting continuous clearing operations to ensure that Marawi City, particularly the main battle area, is cleared of terrorists.
Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said substantial number of forces have been tasked to clear Marawi City of Maute group remnants. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr./PNA)
