(Eagle News) — An alleged member of the Maute group was killed in an encounter that occurred in Barangay Malimbayo, Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte last Sunday, Sept. 30.
This was confirmed by Western Mindanao Command Spokesperson Lt. Gerry Besana.
The alleged Maute member identified as Hadji Rasul Mambuay was a suspected bomb maker of the ISIS-inspired Maute group.
Besana said Mambuay was killed in an encounter with soldiers of the 4th Mechanized Battalion along with the National Bureau of Investigation operatives.
Unfortunately, a soldier, Sgt. Edgar Lumantas, was killed while pursuing the Maute group.
Besana said government troops, including the soldiers and NBI operatives, were about to arrest Mambuay when they encountered the Maute members and exchanged fire with them. The gunfire lasted for 10 minutes.
The Maute group was led by another Maute leader, Dianalan Dimnatang Imam alias Papayungan.