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Five killed in continuing clashes in Mindanao
[Inquirer] At least five people, including two soldiers, were killed when Philippine troops clashed with members of what military officials described as a foreign and local terrorist organization in Butig, Lanao del Sur, on February 20. As of Monday, the firefight was still raging.Col. Roseller Murillo said the clash broke out when the armed militants harassed troops who were manning a patrol base in Barangay Bayabao. After a lull in the fighting, the battle resumed at dawn on February 21. Murillo did not say how the military established ties with a foreign terror group to the militants led by the Maute brothers. But he said the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had been assisting the military in securing civilians in the area by taking them to safer ground. Murillo's deputy said more armored tanks and troops had been sent to Butig. The military also used two MG 520 attack helicopters to track down the armed men and conduct air strikes against them. He said, "The MILF continues to assist civilians so they would not be caught in the crossfire." In Maguindanao, military officials said the operation against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters was also continuing. Posted by: ryuge 2016-02-23 |
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