42 terrorists killed in S Philippine clash: military

At least 42 members of a local terrorist group have been killed in fighting with government forces in Butig town in Lanao del Sur since last Saturday, the military reported Friday.

Filemon Tan, spokesman of the military's Western Mindanao Command, however said only four bodies were recovered by the operating troops.

As of Friday, Tan said 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.

"The operations are ongoing up to now though our troops were able to seize a stronghold of the terrorists before sundown yesterday. It's ongoing, we are still in pursuit now, utilizing human and armored assets," said Tan.

Tan said the operation has resulted in the death of three soldiers and wounding of 11 others.

The fighting broke out in the evening of Feb. 20 when the terrorists attacked a military detachment in Butig. Government reinforcements came in, leading to a full-blown campaign. The group's strength rose from the initial 40 men to about 100 men, the military said.

The soldiers were reinforced by bomber planes, attack helicopters, artillery fires, and armored personnel carriers during the operations.

"More or less 42 were killed on the enemy side," said Tan, citing intelligence information gathered. Asked if they have recovered enemy bodies at the scene of the fighting, Tan said they retrieved only four cadavers.

Tan said the operation also resulted in the recovery of two M16 rifles, two rocket propelled grenades and a home-made cal. 50 rifle. Endit