Two MILF camps captured

Army soldiers have captured two camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Lanao del Sur, the military said yesterday.

Col. Samuel Bagasin, commander of the 402nd Brigade, said at least 26 rebels were killed and one soldier was wounded in the fighting.

Brig. Gen. Roy Cimatu, Army 4th Infantry Division commander, said the capture of the camps in Pacalundo and Apo Hill in Balo-i town effectively ended the MILF presence in the province.

"With the capture of the said camps in Balo-i, we expect an end of hostilities in Lanao del Norte province after more than one month of fighting," he said.

Cimatu said it was now safe for thousands of residents, who fled to escape the clashes, to return to their homes.

Although the military would secure the area, Cimatu authorized Balo-i Mayor Hanifa Ali to form a Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit to guard the town.

He said similar units would be formed in other Lanao del Norte towns. Recruits would be strictly screened. Cimatu also encouraged local officials to bring back harmony between local Muslim and Christian residents.

More than 500 rebels in the Pacalundo camp in Balo-i town fled to nearby Lanao del Sur during the attack. Troops shelled it with artillery, then launched a ground assault backed by helicopter gunships.

When the battle for the two MILF strongholds was over, the Philippine flag was raised over the camps.

The military launched the attacks after provincial officials complained of extortion by the MILF, and to allow repairs on power pylons destroyed by the rebels last month.

The destruction of the pylons caused a Mindanao-wide blackout that lasted several hours.

Although Balo-i mayor and other officials held office in the town hall, they could not extend control over the entire town because of the MILF. The rebels also established shadow governments in remote villages.

Most of Balo-i's 20,000 residents have fled to neighboring towns. About five houses in the town were destroyed by fire and 10 others were damaged by gunfire.

The rebels tried to capture the town hall during the fighting but were repulsed by troops backed by armored vehicles.

The Pacalundo camp was established by rebels displaced from two camps in Lanao del Norte captured by the military recently after heavy fighting that lasted for weeks.

The Apo Hill camp was strategically important for the rebels because it was their radio communication center. -- With reports from AP, AFP