Troops seize 15 MILF camps

MANILA -- Thousands of troops backed by air and artillery fire have captured 15 strongholds of the Moro rebels in the southern Philippines after five days of intense fighting, officials said Monday.

More than 272,000 villagers have also fled their homes due to the ongoing Mindanao conflict.

Armed Forces Chief Alexander Yano said that government forces overran at least 15 camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels who are being pursued for their recent atrocities in Central Mindanao.

During Monday's press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Yano said these camps are actually co-located in communities, which according to him, had been fortified and defended by the rebels under MILF leaders Umbra Kato and Abdullah Saber "Bravo" Macapaar against possible military operations.

He said these camps of the 102nd and 105th Base Commands of the MILF had been seized by the operating troops for the past three days.

The military offensive against the marauding rebels began Monday last week after they staged attacks in Lanao del Norte Province.

At least 28 civilians, three soldiers - including incoming Task Force Tabak intelligence officer Angel Benitez - and a policeman have died in the clashes.