Army deploys more troops to battle pro-ISIS group 

ILIGAN CITY – The Philippine Army said it deployed more troops to run after a group of pro-ISIS militants who killed 2 soldiers and wounded another in fierce fighting in the restive Muslim province of Lanao del Sur.

It said the fighting also killed two militants, but soldiers only recovered one body in the remote village of Calaludan in Pagayawan town. Monday’s clashes were the result of a tipoff from villagers on the presence of Dawlah Islamiya members, according to Captain Clint Antipala, a spokesman for the 1^st Infantry Division.

Quoting a report from Colonel Romeo Brawner, commander of the 103^rd Infantry Brigade, Antipala said “Additional troops were sent (to the province) in order to pursue the fleeing terrorists as well as to ensure the safety and security of the local populace in the area.”

Antipala said soldiers from the 55^th Infantry Battalion were pursuing the militants, whose leaders pledged allegiance to ISIS and vowed to fight for the establishment of a caliphate in the troubled South.

“We are sustaining our focused military operation in order to destroy the remnants of this group DI-Lanao and make the province free from terrorists,” Brawner said in his report.

Brigadier General Roberto Ancan, the division commander, condoled with the families of the slain soldiers “who paid the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our people against the terrorist group.”

Security was also tightened in the province and more checkpoints were established to ensure safety of residents in Lanao del Sur. (Mindanao Examiner)

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