THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared on Thursday the municipality of Butig in Lanao del Sur as “100-percent cleared” of Maute Group terrorists as it prepared for the town’s turnover to the local government to facilitate the return of displaced residents.

“The main areas, the built-up areas of Butig municipality are now clear, paving the way for its turnover to the local government so that they can now allow some of the residents who still stay there to go back to their homes,” said Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., AFP spokesman.