MANILA (AFP) - Troops have overrun a hideout occupied by gunmen in the southern Philippines after a week of fighting that left 13 dead and forced thousands of civilians to flee, officials said on Thursday.
Most of the estimated 100 gunmen holed up in the remote camp on Mindanao island had fled, although two surrendered earlier, said Philippine Army commander Lieutenant-General Arturo Ortiz.
'Yes, the camp of Commander Waning has been overrun,' Lt Gen Ortiz told reporters, referring to the alias of the gunmen's alleged leader, who has been ordered arrested by a court to stand trial for kidnapping.
'There are reports that he fled with 40 of his men and that he had been wounded and unable to walk due to his injuries,' Lt Gen Ortiz added. Several hundred troops were combing through the gunmen's hideout, in a marshy area that had been fortified with reinforced concrete bunkers, he added.
