2 more Kato camps seized

Manila, Philippines - Two more camps of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), including the one that houses the hospital of its leader Ameril Umbra Kato, were seized by the military over the weekend.

The satellite camps, located in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao, were seized by soldiers in separate operations yesterday and last Saturday.

Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said the camp seized yesterday houses the hospital where Kato, who has been suffering from the effects of a stroke, stayed.

“It is their camp where their hospital is located. We saw there Kato’s medicine as well as his wheelchair,” Asto said.

Citing intelligence reports, Asto said Kato was brought to the hospital last Aug. 6. The BIFM leader, however, was no longer in the area the following day.

Last Saturday, members of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion seized a BIFM encampment in the southern part of the Camp Omar complex also in Datu Hoffer town.

Lt. Col. Ignatius Patrimonio, the battalion’s commander, said the camp can accommodate 100 people and has 10 bunkers with overhead protection.

“Several war materials and personal belongings were left behind by the rebels who hastily fled with numerous casualties when the artillery bombardments began,” he said.

Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said the BIFM has splintered into smaller groups to evade the military’s pursuit operations.

“More soldiers are deployed in strategic locations to thwart any attempts by Kato’s men to conduct more atrocities against hapless civilians,” he said.

The military has so far seized five camps of the BIFM, a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The BIFM, which opposes the MILF’s move to talk peace with the government, has been launching attacks in parts of Mindanao since Aug. 5.

The group started by harassing military detachments and camps along the Cotabato-General Santos Highway.

The rebels also stepped up offensives in areas near Datu Piang and Salibo towns in Maguindanao.

BIFM fighters also staged separate offensives in two barangays, forcing several civilians to evacuate. About 27,000 people have been displaced by the hostilities.