Several underage fighters were involved in a government clash with remnants of the Dawlah Islamiyah–Maute Group (DI-MG) in Lanao del Sur on 9 August, during which two people, including a woman and a child, were killed, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Monday.

In a press conference at Camp Crame, PNP chief General Nicolas Torre III said the armed encounter occurred during a joint law enforcement operation in the area, where authorities served arrest warrants for multiple serious criminal offenses. 

“Sa operasyon ito, nakahuli tayo ng mga menor de edad na mga fighters na ginagamit ng Maute at may nasawi rin sa engkwentro na mga miyembro ng Maute at may sang babae rin na namatay at may sang lalaki rin na bata na namatay (In this operation, we captured some underage fighters being used by the Maute group, and some Maute members were also killed in the encounter. A woman was also killed, as well as a young boy),” Torre told reporters. 

“At may mag nakatakas din at ito ay mag identified na (And there were also some who escaped, and they have already been identified),” he added. 

According to Torre, the arrested terrorists were brought under the custody of the Philippine Army’s 103rd Infantry “Haribon” Brigade  (IB) in Marawi City. 

“Sa kasalukuyang ang mga nahuli ay nasa custody ng 103rd IB ng Philippine Army sa Marawi at nagpe-prepare na rin tayo ng kaso laban sa mga nahuling ito (Currently, those who were apprehended are in the custody of the 103rd IB of the Philippine Army in Marawi, and we are also preparing a case against those who were arrested),” he said. 

Torre lamented that the arrested individuals have existing murder and homicide cases.  

In a separate statement, the Army’s 103rd IB confirmed that one soldier was wounded in the armed clash. 

The armed encounter resulted in the neutralization of three terrorist group members and the capture of three others.

The  Daesh-inspired Maute rebel group was responsible for the infamous five-month-long siege in Marawi City on 23 May 2017

The military previously reported that the local DI-Maute rebel group operating in the boundaries of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte has been “losing ground” due to financial constraints and lack of support from Lanao residents.

In a Viber message to the DAILY TRIBUNE, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the “military remains resolute and committed to defending peace, protecting people, and ensuring that history does not repeat itself.”

“The Philippine Army acknowledges reports regarding the continued presence and activities of remnants of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group (DI-MG) in remote areas of Lanao del Sur,” Dema-ala said. 

“We assure the public that these elements are being actively monitored, and our security operations are ongoing to neutralize any threat they pose to peace and stability in the region,” he added. 

The Army called on the cooperation of the public, particularly residents of Lanao del Sur, “to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities.” 

“The success of our peace and security efforts relies on unity and trust between communities and our security forces,” Dema-ala added.