MANILA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Philippines security forces have arrested three alleged Maute fighters as troops and police renew their offensive against the remnants of a terror group that attacked the southern Philippine city of Marawi nearly two years ago, said a military official on Saturday.
Colonel Romeo Brawner of the Philippine Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade said the three suspects were arrested late Friday, a day after troops seized the group's base in southern Lanao del Sur province.
Brawner said the troops gained control of the camp after "an intense gunfight" with 24 extremists belonging to the Maute group, is believed to be led by Abu Dhar, he added.
The location of the camp is about 50 km from Marawi City.
Brawner said the fighting that lasted 10 hours, killed three suspected Maute fighters and wounded three soldiers.
Brawner said the military offensive to rid Lanao del Sur province of extremists will continue.
The Maute group led the siege on the city of Marawi located in the southern island of Mindanao in May 2017. The Maute group executed the attack in concert with the jihadist terror group Abu Sayyaf.
Security forces ultimately cleared the city and eliminated much of the terrorist leadership, including the Maute brothers and Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon. However, the military said that some Maute members that fled Marawi in 2017 are finding their way back into the city.
At least 1,200 people, including soldiers and terrorists, were killed in the Marawi siege that also flattened the city's business center. Thousands of its residents were also displaced as a result of the five-month fighting.
