Three Abu Sayyaf gunmen surrendered to the military in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, as officials reported that troops overran a fortified rebel camp in the hinterlands.

Ajal Tahil, Ardini Abdur and Mahah Jumah surrendered on Thursday and handed over their weapons, mostly M16 automatic rifles, to the Army's 104th Infantry Brigade, said Col. Fredesvindo Covarrubias, chief of the military's civil office.

The trio's surrender, Covarrubias said, was facilitated by Patikul village chieftain Ajik Hasim. He said a total of 19 guerrillas had yielded to authorities in Sulu the past two weeks. Many guerrillas have sent surrender feelers to town officials in Sulu, said Covarrubias, adding: "They are asking for protection from possible retaliation by their comrades in case they surrender."

Most of those who surrendered to the military had escaped from their camps in Sulu because of the continued government operation and negotiations by local leaders. Last month, former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Singson said Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang had sent surrender feelers, but until now there has been no concrete evidence that he is going to surrender.

Andang was responsible for the abduction of 40 mostly foreign hostages in Malaysia last April 2000, and in Jolo from July to August last year. All but one were freed after Malaysian, European, and Libyan negotiators reportedly paid $20 million in exchange for the release of the hostages.

Andang's group is still holding the last of the Sipadan hostage Filipino dive master Roland Ullah, the military said.

At the same time, security forces seized an Abu Sayyaf camp in Patikul's Mt. Sinumaan after sporadic clashes with the hostage takers who retreated deeper into the jungle.

At least three Muslim farmers tipped off the military about the presence of the Abu Sayyaf camp, which could accommodate more than 100 people, said Covarrubias, adding: "The military pinpointed the camp's exact location and soldiers mounted an assault that triggered sporadic fighting in the area until the enemies were flushed out."

Soldiers discovered more than 60 bunkers and trenches. "It was well fortified, but troops overran the enemy camp and recovered ammunition for recoilless rifles," Covarrubias said.

Mindanao military chief Gen.Gregorio Camiling vowed to crush the Abu Sayyaf, which is still holding 21 Filipino and American nationals in the southern Basilan island.