(Eagle News)– At least 90 percent of the population of Butig, Lanao del Sur have fled to Marawi City and other nearby areas as clashes between the military and bandits of the Maute Group continued.
Some 300 members of the Maute Group have reoccupied a certain area of Butig town.
Majority of members of the bandit group are residents of Butig town, and are now reinforced by other bandits from Maguindanao province.
The military was able to take back the town from the Maute Group in late February.
However, the bandit group returned to Butig town and raised an ISIS flag at the abandoned municipal building, which cued the military to launch offensive efforts on Saturday.
On Sunday, at least 11 members of the Maute Group have been killed and five more bandits and two soldiers have been wounded in the firefights.