AFP overruns MILF camp in Lanao del Norte

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces on Thursday confirmed that government troops have overran a major Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camp which served as the headquarters of one of its recalcitrant commanders now being pursued by authorities. In a phone patch interview, AFP vice chief of staff and concurrent Joint Task Force Mindanao commander Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna said the military recaptured Camp Bilal in Lanao del Norte around 6:30 p.m Wednesday without stiff resistance from the MILF's 102nd Base Command led by Abdullah Macapaar or Commander Bravo. Luna said Camp Bilal in Munai town had been the subject of recent military operations, saying days before the seizure of the MILF base, government troops advancing to the camp have been met by some resistance by rebels. Bravo and his men is blamed for the August 18 attacks in Iligan City and four towns in Lanao del Norte that resulted in the killing of 28 civilians, three soldiers – including a lieutenant colonel – and a policeman, which triggered the government offensives. “Its significant, its symbolic for Commander Bravo" said Luna of the capture of Camp Bilal which first fell into the AFP’s hands during the government’s all-out war against the MILF in 2000 but was returned to the MILF after it was classified as a place of temporary stay under the peace process. When asked if Bravo was in the camp prior to the entry of the troops to the camp, Luna said: “We are sure he was there because that is where he hides." For his part, task force spokesman Col. Jomar Cuerpo said: “There was no resistance reported. It could have been abandoned or they ran for their lives. This is supposed to be the base of Commander Bravo," noting that the camp houses a building and can accommodate up to 100 men. “Its a big camp...This deprives them of a safe haven," said Cuerpo. Last Friday, government forces seized Camp Vietnam, a satellite camp in Maguindanao where the house of Commander Wahid Tundok, the operations officer of Commander Umbra Kato who led the occupation of 15 North Cotabato barangays, was located. The recapture of Camp Bilal came a day after the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) appealed for the halt of military offensives in Mindanao as it expressed concern over the recent hostilities' possible impact on the seven-year old peace talks between the government and MILF. Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, OIC Secretary General, both parties should work out a swift settlement to the current crisis that threatens to thwart the peace process. "The Secretary General urged the parties to the conflict to rapidly return to the negotiating table and continue working together in the same positive spirit that led to the conclusion of the agreement," OIC said in a statement. "The parties need to preserve and build upon the accomplishments so far achieved in a bid to reach the just and durable peace desired by all," it added. Ihsanoglu also condemned rebel attacks against innocent civilians, calling it illegitimate acts conducted by wayward elements affiliated with the MILF. - GMANews.TV