ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Three soldiers were wounded in a firefight between government forces and remnants of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Maute group in Lanao del Sur, military officials said Thursday, January 24.

Colonel Romeo Brawner, Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the firefight ensued around 8:10 a.m. Thursday in Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur when the troops chanced upon the group of Owaida Benito Marohombsar alias Abu Day while on security operations.

Brawner did not release the names of the wounded soldiers but said two of them belong to the Army's 55th Infantry Battalion and one from the 82nd Infantry Battalion.

He said the casualties were immediately extricated from encounter site for medical treatment.

He called on the public not to panic and not to evacuate "because we have everything under control." (SunStar Philippines)