Philippine Forces Kill 10 Islamist Militants in Clash

Philippine security forces have killed 10 suspected Islamist militants following a fierce gun battle in the country’s Muslim-majority south, authorities confirmed on Friday.

The clash occurred near the town of Marantao, where police and military personnel had moved in before dawn to execute arrest warrants against Amerol Mangoranca, a leader of the Maute-Dawlah Islamiya, and his group.

According to reports, the operation escalated into an hour-long firefight after the suspects resisted arrest. Among those killed was Mangoranca himself, alongside several members of his group, including women believed to be part of the network.

Security forces reported no casualties on their side and said weapons and explosives were recovered from the scene. An infant was also found unharmed following the exchange.

Military authorities linked the group to past attacks, including a January incident that left four soldiers dead. The militants are also believed to have ties to extremist networks involved in the Marawi siege, a five-month conflict in 2017 that claimed over 1,000 lives.

The southern Philippines has long faced security challenges from remnants of Islamic State-inspired groups operating in the region.