Col. Hilario Atendido, spokesman for the Armed Forces Southern Command, told reporters yesterday government troops were able to retake Camp Bushra following five days of running gun battles that began with heavy artillery bombardment last Monday.
"An intercepted enemy message indicated many guerrillas were killed and wounded in the shelling," he said. "Troops shelled and assaulted the place and eventually occupied again the area from MILF forces."
However, Atendido said the number of fatalities could have risen last Saturday after Camp Bushra was retaken by government troops.
An MILF official said guerrillas also killed more than 20 soldiers during the clashes, a claim dismissed by Atendido as propaganda.
Atendido 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 Scout Rangers penetrated the MILF’s main position by late Saturday after seven hours of bombardment, and that troops recovered from the scene assorted firearms, including anti-tank rockets and machineguns, and ammunition.
Peace talks between the government and MILF collapsed early this year.
Meanwhile, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division has tightened security in Central Mindanao in anticipation of suicide attacks by MILF guerrillas during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drinks and sex.
Brig. Gen. Roy Kyamko, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, told reporters yesterday Muslim religious leaders and local officials will try to convince MILF guerrillas not to disrupt peace in their communities during Ramadan.
Kyamko said his men will conduct humanitarian projects during Ramadan, including multi-sectoral dialogues in far-flung areas to complement Malacañang’s peace initiative with the MILF.
On the other hand, Al Haj Murad, MILF vice chairman for military affairs, told The STAR yesterday their forces will maintain a defensive posture and engage government troops only if provoked.
"Ramadan is a very important season for Muslims and we are hoping that our observance on the month-long fasting will not be disturbed by any military attacks," he said. "Even then, we will fight back and defend our positions if provoked."
However, some Muslim preachers, who were trained in a prominent Islamic university in Cairo in Egypt, are apprehensive that some radical members of the MILF would launch suicide attacks.
Moctar Abdullah, a 45-year-old Islamic missionary, said: "There is a belief among us that the gates of heaven are wide open for martyrs during Ramadan. This could be unduly exploited by radical members of the front to encourage some fanatic members to create trouble during Ramadan."
In an official statement, the 20-member League of Mayors in Maguindanao called on Malacañang and the MILF yesterday to forge a bilateral ceasefire and to accord due respect to each other’s religious holidays –the Ramadan for Muslims and the celebration of Christmas for Christians.
Upi, Maguindanao Mayor Datu Michael Sinsuat, president of the league, said: "Even if both sides do not resume with the peace talks yet, there should be a compromise on how to maintain peace during the observance of these two religious seasons." – Roel Pareño, John Unson