Philippines: city captured earlier by ISIS released

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that the city of Butig in Lanao del Sur was for «100-percent cleared» of Maute Group terrorists.

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., AFP spokesman said: «The main areas, the built-up areas of Butig municipality are now clear, paving the way for its turnover to the local government so that they can now allow some of the residents who still stay there to go back to their homes».

However, the operation against the group "Mauthe", a division of ISIS will be continued.

Padilla said: «The military offensive operations will continue in areas we need to clear, to prevent the remaining elements of this group from coming back».

President Rodrigo Duterte declared: «There are only 50 of you and you will fight the armed forces. That’s foolish».

During this campaign, which lasted during six days, Islamists lost 61 militants, more than 12 were wounded. At the same time 35 soldiers from the government troops were wounded, not counting victims of this terrorist attack.