BITAN-AG, Philippines – Hundreds of ecstatic soldiers hoisted the Philippine flag in a key Muslim rebel stronghold yesterday after ousting Islamic insurgents blamed for a recent attack on an army post and bombings in Manila and two other cities.

Lieutenant General Alberto Braganza, commander of the military’s Southern Command, flew by helicopter with local officials to Bitan-ag, a fortified hinterland camp near Panamao town on Jolo Island that troops wrested from armed followers of jailed Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari after days of fierce gunbattles.

“This is the victory of the Filipino people,” General Braganza told troops and marines after the flag-raising ceremony. “We will continue this campaign against lawlessness and terrorism no matter what the cost.”

A soldier crumpled a rebel banner and flag as other troops erupted in cheers.

About 100 to 200 gunmen apparently abandoned Bitan-ag, a sprawling training encampment with two wooden watch towers, underground bomb shelters, a parade ground, and a one-story building that served as headquarters and home of rebel commander Habier Malik. Two large portraits of Mr. Misuari adorned the walls.

Mr. Malik was reportedly wounded in a clash but was not captured, said Lieutenant Colonel Elmer Estopin, who led a marine contingent, along with army troops, that advanced into Bitan-ag, about 600 miles south of Manila.

Troops were pursuing the gunmen, who fled in small groups toward Jolo’s mountainous center as the military moved in Tuesday afternoon.

After suffering heavy casualties in the clashes, military officials brimmed with pride over the capture of the camp, which they plan to turn into an army detachment and name after battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Villanueva, who was killed with two of his men last Thursday.

General Braganza pinned Gold Cross medals – the military’s highest combat award – on 10 soldiers.

About 3,000 soldiers and marines have been pursuing Misuari’s followers – backed by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas – since they attacked an army detachment in Panamao on February 7, provoking clashes that killed 27 soldiers and wounded 72 others. Troops have killed 37 gunmen and wounded scores of others, the military said.

The rebel attacks were apparently a retaliation for the death of a number of people, including a child, who were caught in the cross-fire when troops assaulted a community of Mr. Misuari’s followers while pursuing suspected Abu Sayyaf members.

Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility for bombings Monday in Manila’s financial district and the southern cities of General Santos and Davao. The bombings killed seven people and wounded at least 123, apparently to divert the military’s attention and ease the pressure on the beleaguered gunmen on Jolo, the military said.

Despite the attacks, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, president of the Philippines, said Tuesday that the military assaults on Jolo would continue. She vowed to crush the Al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf.