36 IS-linked militants killed in clashes: Philippine military

The Philippine military said on Monday that at least 36 "Maute group" militants linked to Islamic State (IS) have been killed in the series of clashes in the southern Philippines.

The military also said that at least three soldiers were also wounded in the fighting between government troops and Maute group militant that broke out on Friday in Piagapo town in Lanao del Sur.

The military launched a "final assault" on Monday, capturing an alleged camp of the Maute fighters.

Only three bodies of the 36 killed militants were retrieved from the clash sites, and that two of the bodies found were reportedly "foreign looking," the military said.

The military said they also found materials for making improvised explosive devices, rifle grenades, military uniforms and Indonesian passports.

According to the military, the Maute group was formed by the Maute family led by brothers Omar and Abdullah Maute, former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The group has declared loyalty to the IS, an international jihadist group.

But the military downplays the group, saying it is a bunch of criminals that carry out several bombings and kidnappings in the southern Mindanao region.

The group, which displays a black flag and insignia of IS, has attacked army troops and beheaded their kidnapees. They are also notorious for raiding jails in the provinces to free their detained comrades. Endit