Soldiers of the Philippines' army. (Photo: Philstar) Hanoi (VNA) - At least 42 members of a local terrorist group have been killed in fighting with Philippine government forces in the town of Butig in Lanao del Sur since February 20, the country’s army announced on February 26.
The fighting broke out on the evening of February 20 when terrorists attacked a military detachment in Butig. Government reinforcements came in, leading to a full-blown campaign.
Filemon Tan, spokesman for the military's Western Mindanao Command, said that the operation resulted in the death of three soldiers and the wounding of 11 others.
Tan said as of February 26, operations are still underway against the remnants of the group, led by brothers Abdullah and Omar Maute, which is associated with the Southeast Asian regional terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah.-VNA
