ILIGAN CITY — The Philippine Army, through the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, has confirmed that members of the Maute Group (Dawlah-Islamiyah faction) killed in a law enforcement operation in Marantao, Lanao del Sur, were behind the January 23, 2026 ambush of government troops in Munai, Lanao del Norte.

The confirmation came after forensic examination of recovered materials, including a video retrieved from the cellphone of a female Maute Group member killed during the April 17, 2026 operation.

According to the Army, the footage provided visual evidence directly linking the slain armed individuals to the ambush in Barangay Lininding, Munai.

intelligence infographic titled 'PERPETRATORS' linking Maute Group members to the Munai ambush, featuring a low-resolution field photo of armed individuals crossing a stream in a blue SUV and high-resolution identified mugshots of Amerol Mangolanca (@USMAN), Sohaile Borud Bato (@MUSLIM), and Benjie Amir (@MUSLIH).
MAUTE AMBUSH EVIDENCE. An intelligence infographic, marked with the military slogan "Honor. Patriotism. Duty," provides a critical link between the deadly Munai, Lanao del Norte ambush and neutralized members of the Maute Group (Dawlah-Islamiyah). The image, which military sources confirm is based on forensic data recovered from a slain Maute member in Marantao, features a marked field photo of the perpetrators and matching high-resolution identified mugshots. Confirmed individuals include Amerol Mangolanca (@USMAN), Sohaile Borud Bato (@MUSLIM), and Benjie Amir (@MUSLIH), strengthening the 1st Infantry Division’s confirmation that justice has been served for the fallen soldiers. (Image courtesy of JTF ZAMPELAN / 1ID, Philippine Army)

Read related story: 10 DI-Maute fighters slain in Lanao Sur ops

Military officials said the recovered video clearly showed the participation of the neutralized group members, strengthening intelligence reports and supporting previously gathered evidence. Additional war materiel recovered from the site also helped establish their operational roles.

Maj. Gen. Yegor Rey P. Barroquillo Jr., commander of the 1st Infantry Division, said the operation was carried out in accordance with military rules of engagement.

“This was a legitimate operation, fully compliant with rules of engagement," said Baroquillo.

He said that the Philippine Army remains steadfast in its mandate to relentlessly pursue and decisively neutralize enemies of the State, ensuring all actions are directed strictly against lawful targets. 

"The video recovered from the female Maute member further reinforces that justice has been duly served for our fallen comrades,” Barroquillo said.

Read also: Suspected Maute fighters kill 4 soldiers in Munai ambush

He assured the families of the slain soldiers that justice had been served.

The Philippine Army said all operations remain intelligence-driven and undergo strict target validation to ensure only legitimate threats are engaged while minimizing risks to civilians.

The military also reiterated its commitment to upholding human rights and following International Humanitarian Law as it continues security operations in Mindanao.