Military seizes another Abu Sayyaf camp

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Government security forces seized another camp of the Abu Sayyaf group in the southern Philippine province of Sulu today morning, a military official said.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said troops from the Philippine Army were able to occupy the militants' camp in Kabuntakas village, Patikul town in Sulu province without clashing with the Abu Sayyaf.

Cabunoc said the camp was used as a hiding place for German couple Stephan Viktor Okonek and Heriken Diesen, who were released on Friday night, six months after they were seized off the western Philippine province of Palawan.

The Philippine military has intensified its operations against the Abu Sayyaf to rescue the group's other hostages and to finally put an end to its criminal activities.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has said the activities of the al Qaida-linked group have affected Manila's relations with other countries.