Philippines Forces Show No Mercy to Maute’s “Messy” Trio
Who Were the Culprits?
- Three suspected Maute gangsters, the hawkish squad that’s been napping in southern Manila’s shadows.
- One of them was a former incarcerated fighter who managed a jailbreak in Marawi last year — talk about a “break‑out” performance.
When and Where Did the Battle Spark?
On a quiet Thursday, a skirmish erupted in Pantar, the town just outside the bruised city of Marawi. After a furious five‑month siege last year, the city was almost a ghost town, but the enemy’s fingers still lingered in the area.
What Went Down?
- Army troops stormed the gang’s hideout, confronting the trio who were coughing up a footgun of resistance as security forces tried to nab them.
- The clash left the rebels dead and their arsenal – four assault rifles, a grenade launcher, and a stash of stolen police weapons – in the army’s arsenal.
Why It Still Matters
- Recent intel suggests that the Maute gang’s extremist offspring are still primed for more chaos, attempting to unite a new East Asian caliphate.
- Since Marawi’s final defeat, loyalists have been recruiting new fighters, even targeting youth and hardened mercenaries for surprise strikes.
Closing Notes from the Frontline
Major Ronald Suscano, the army’s own version of the “Roast Master,” described the incident as a decisive blow: “We brought the heat, and the bad guys didn’t stand a chance.” The operation saw the successful capture of Omar Daiser, who slipped into freedom amid last year’s jailbreak drama when Maute forces swiped the Marawi City Jail and policed the armoury.
With this win, the Philippines sends a clear message: Freedom’s not for sale.
