Philippine troops claim capture of MILF camp

Philippine troops claim capture of MILF camp

COTABATO, Philippines (AFP): Government troops have captured a major rebel camp in the southern Philippine province of Maguindanao after intense fighting, the military said here on Sunday.

The Philippine flag was hoisted inside the abandoned Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Camp Mohamad al Sateh after troops poured in Saturday afternoon, said local army spokesman Major Julieto Ando.

Fighting triggered by an MILF attack on army troops began early Saturday and raged for several hours until government artillery fire and air strikes forced the rebels to flee the camp, Ando said.

At least one rebel was killed in the fighting and one soldier was slightly injured, the military said, adding that the recovery of blood-stained fatigues meant more guerrillas could have been either wounded or killed.

Troops discovered about 100 trenches in the heavily fortified camp, as well as bunkers that could accommodate about 300 MILF fighters, Ando said.

Camp Mohamad al Sateh is the fifth MILF camp captured by troops in Maguindanao since a major offensive against the 15,000- strong group was launched this year.

Four other major camps in two nearby provinces, including the MILF's training and weapons manufacturing base, have also been captured.

Ando said the military was under instruction to continue its offensive against other MILF territories in the south even as peace negotiations continue.

The military earlier said it was prepared to strike Camp Abubakar, the MILF's main base in southern Mindanao island, if given the green light by Manila.

"We will continue with the offensive as directed to liberate MILF camps outside Camp Abubakar," Ando said.

In Manila, President Joseph Estrada on Saturday warned the MILF that government forces would crush the rebellion if they continued to resist.

Estrada said the government would not allow the rebels to "gain time and opportunity to regroup, to consolidate and re-arm so they can continue to wage war."

While the government was committed to finding a peaceful solution to the 22-year Moro insurgency, Estrada warned the rebels that "if they want war, we will give them defeat."

The president earlier rejected a call from the Catholic-church and former president Corazon Aquino for a 40-day cease-fire with the MILF.

In another development in Jolo Island, chief Philippine hostage negotiator Roberto Aventajado said on Sunday he was willing to step down after rebels holding 21 mostly foreign hostages on this southern island demanded his removal.

Aventajado and other members of the government negotiating panel flew back to the capital, Manila, on Sunday without making any clear headway into the hostage crisis, which has entered its eighth week.

"We are currently analyzing the situation, but the important thing with me is the safety and the lives of the 21 hostages and (if) my being out of the picture would have the ability to save the lives of the captives then I am willing to step down as head of the government negotiating team," Aventajado said in a telephone interview.

He said, however, that the "final decision is with the president."

Aventajado's statement came after he flew in from Zamboanga city, where he earlier had a brief meeting with other members of the negotiating panel.

The meeting was prompted by the Abu Sayyaf's demand Saturday for Aventajado to be replaced by Estrada's chief aide after remarks that the government was not ruling out a military option to solve the crisis.

Earlier Sunday, Sulu police chief Superintendent Candido Casimiro said maritime police, the navy and the coastguard were put on full alert to block any attempt by the Abu Sayyaf to move the hostages to another island.

Intelligence reports indicated that all the hostages were still in the jungle on Jolo, but could have been divided into two groups in separate villages.