Renegade Muslim rebels training camp captured in Mindanao

TACURONG CITY, Philippines (Xinhua) - Security forces have captured a training camp of renegade Muslim rebels as they continue its operation against guerillas behind the recent attacks on two army detachments in the provides of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat, the military said today.

Major General Eduardo Mangilinan, commander of Army's 6th Division, said combined soldiers and policemen conducting clearing operation in the remote village of Midpandacan, General SK Pendatun town of Maguindanao seized at around 5:30 a.m. on Monday Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter's 2nd Division Headquarters.

Pangilinan rebel Commander Sukarno Sapal, also known as Jok, abandoned their camp after seeing advancing government forces.

"Before escaping, they however managed to fire at government soldiers resulting to a heavy gun fighting," Pangilinan said.

"We are seriously going after this terrorist group in order to send them a strong message that their plans to spoil the peace and development that has already been felt in the region will not flourish," he added.

Captain Joanne Petinglay, regional military spokesperson, said troops recovered materials for bomb making at the camp.

"The facility was used by the rebels in training their newly recruits," she said.

The BIFF has carried out many deadly attacks in a bid to disrupt the peace negotiations between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government.

The BIFF is the armed wing of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement which broke away from the MILF in 2010 as a result of disagreements over the conduct of peace talks with the government.