11 June 2017•Update: 12 June 2017
By Roy Ramos
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
Four members of the Daesh-linked Maute group were killed and three police officers were wounded after a police convoy carrying them was ambushed Saturday night by unidentified men in southern Lanao del Norte province.
The fatalities identified as Zulkifli Maute, Aliasgar Hadji Solaiman, Salah Abbas and Allan Solaiman, were arrested Friday night along with “Farhana” Maute -- mother of the leaders of the terror group which is fighting against the government forces in Marawi City since May 23.
Joint Task Force Group Senior Superintendent Rolly Anduyan was quoted by GMA News as saying that the slain fighters are “very important members of the Maute group as they are potential witnesses against the queen”.
According to unnamed sources of Rappler, a online news portal, Farhana was already moved out of Lanao del Sur Friday.
According to authorities, the police convoy of five mobile units was transporting the Maute members to Cagayan de Oro City for their inquest proceeding when the attack happened on of Baloi and towns of Lanao del Norte.
The terrorists were brought to nearby hospitals but were pronounced dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, the three cops wounded in the attack were also brought to the nearest hospital.
Authorities are trying to find out who are responsible for the attack and whether it is connected to the ongoing conflict in .
The entire island of Mindanao has been placed under martial law since May 23, hence, the heightened alert in Marawi and nearby towns.
