Around 450 families that were evacuated in Lanao del Norte following a recent clash between government soldiers and the Maute fighters are now safe to return to their homes.
The Philippine Army gave the affected families permission to go home after the clash site and nearby areas in Tangcal and Munai municipalities were cleared by the 11th Division Reconnaissance Company and 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion.
On Saturday, around 30 members of the Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) clashed anew with members of the 51st Infantry Battalion (51IB) in Barangay Lindongan in Munai town.
The fight ended after three hours with no casualty on the government side.
The Army troopers recovered seven improvised explosive devices, five backpacks, and a 15-meter commercial wire.
On August 15, troops from 51IB also engaged 30 fighters from the same terrorist group, which was then led by a certain Abu Bakar/Abu Zacaria, Brig. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo, 103rd Infantry Brigade and JTG HARRIBON commander, said.
"We have received reports from the residents on the presence of the armed group, and the military units operating within the area responded quickly to the reports," Cuerpo said.