Philippines to hunt hardline rebels after capturing camps

Philippine soldiers take their positions during a clearing operation after they overran camp of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) camp in the village of Ganta, on the southern island of Mindanao on February 1, 2014

AWANG (Philippines) (AFP) - Philippine military officials on Sunday vowed to hunt down remaining splinter groups of hardline Muslim rebels after capturing their main camps in a week-long offensive.

The threat posed by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) has diminished due to the offensive that began Monday in remote parts of the troubled southern island of Mindanao, said national military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala.