MANILA: The military claimed on Saturday that nine members of a pro-ISIS group had been slain by government forces in the southern Philippines. Among them were two suspects in the tragic explosion that occurred during a Catholic Mass last month.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced in a statement that four troops were hurt during the counterterrorism operation on Thursday and Friday in the province of Lanao del Sur, but that everyone is in stable condition.
According to the AFP, the deceased were members of Daulah Islamiyah, a pro-ISIS terrorist organization that seized control of Marawi's southern region in 2017 and managed to hold it for five months through military airstrikes and ground assaults.
The two identified suspects in the bombing on December 3 at a Marawi university gymnasium, which left at least four people dead and fifty injured, were among those slain.
“The precision and unwavering dedication exhibited in this operation … delivered swift and decisive justice for the victims of the despicable attack,” Military chief Romeo Brawner said in a statement.
“This operation sets a clear precedent: the AFP will not tolerate those who endanger the lives and well-being of our people,” Mr. Brawner said.
