November 27, 2000, The Manila Bulletin, Gov't troops retake Camp Bushra,

November 27, 2000, The Manila Bulletin, Gov't troops retake Camp Bushra, 

ZAMBOANGA (AP) -- Military troops have retaken a major Muslim rebel camp in Southern Philippines after several days of fighting, including heavy bombardment by howitzer cannons, officials said Sunday.

The military said at least 10 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were killed in the fighting and bombardment of Camp Bushra. Rebels, however, disputed that report and said the military had suffered at least 22 casualties. The claims could not be independently verified.

Camp Bushra, located in the hinterlands of Butig town in Lanao del Sur province, was the MILF's main training ground until it was overran by the military in late May during a government offensive against guerrilla camps in the southern Mindanao region.

The MILF then attempted to re-establish smaller camps in the area, the military said.

Ground troops were able to retake the camp Saturday after pounding it with 105mm howitzer cannons.

"The rebel defense line was weakened by the heavy bombardment, which forced them to abandon the camp," military Southern Command spokesman Col. Hilario Atendido said.

He said intercepted enemy radio messages indicated many rebels had been killed or wounded in the shelling.

"There were bloodstains all over the place. Soldiers destroyed bunkers and running trenches and recovered much ammunition," he said.

In a separate incident in nearby Maguindanao province, a group of MILF rebels ambushed a military truck transporting soldiers in the town of Talayan, Atendido said.

At least four soldiers were wounded, he said.

The rebels fired automatic rifles and small rockets at the soldiers, who retaliated, forcing the ambushers to retreat into the hills, Atendido said.

In southern Basilan province, three MILF rebels surrendered Saturday to the military in the town of Lamitan, Atendido said.

The MILF is the larger of two groups fighting for an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines.

Overrun

ZAMBOANGA (AFP) - Scores of guerrillas were believed killed after government troops overran a Muslim rebel camp in the Southern Philippines, the military claimed here Sunday.

Army spokesmen said troops began a massive offensive last Monday, pounding with artillery the Moro Islamic Liberation Front's (MILF) camp at Bushra in the town of Butig in the southern province of Lanao del Sur.

Running gun battles had raged for the past five days, regional army spokesman Colonel Hilario Atendido said here.

Initial reports from the field indicated at least 10 rebels were killed, but the number of fatalities could have risen on Saturday when Bushra fell, Atendido said.

"An intercepted enemy message indicated many guerrillas were killed and wounded in the shelling," Atendido said.

"Troops shelled and assaulted the place and eventually occupied again the area from MILF forces."

Bushra was one of the MILF's largest territories in the south until government troops captured it in a massive assault early this year. MILF forces had returned to the area and begun re-establishing satellite camps.

An MILF official claimed guerrillas also killed more than 20 soldiers during the clashes, a claim dismissed by Atendido as propaganda.

Atendido said scout rangers penetrated the rebels' main position by late Saturday after seven hours of bombardment.

Recovered from the site were rounds of ammunition and assorted firearms, including anti-tank rockets and machine guns, he said.

There was no actual body count, but messages intercepted on radio and "bloodstains all over the place" indicated scores of rebels had been wounded or killed, Atendido said.