Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Friday rejected proposals for a cease-fire with Muslim rebels in the southern province of Sulu and instructed the military to continue offensives.

In a statement read by presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye, President Arroyo said renegade members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Abu Sayyaf had broken up into smaller groups and were on the run.

"Upon the recommendation of the secretary of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, I have directed our forces to continue operations and focus on apprehending or neutralizing the remaining leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf as well as the other groups that were reported havealliances with them," said Arroyo.

Some officials in Sulu have called for a cease-fire and the governor of Sulu, Ben Loong, claimed a few days ago that the military has reached an "informal truce" with the rebels with his mediation.

Arroyo said in the statement that she has ordered the AFP and the Philippine National Police to file criminal complains against "those responsible with this act of terrorism."

She added that she has instructed her advisor on peace with Muslim rebels in the south Teresita Deles to coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Mindanao DevelopmentCouncil and military and police commanders to oversee the safe return of civilians displaced by the fighting.

Armed forces engineering battalion will be deployed to help rehabilitate the war-torn areas.

Fighting between government forces and the MNLF members have been going on for nearly one month, resulting in the deaths of 33 soldiers and an estimated 100 rebels.

The conflict broke out on Feb. 6 after about 500 loyalists of MNLF leader Nur Misuari attacked an army detachment in Jolo island,Sulu.

The rebels said they wanted to avenge the deaths of three civilians, including a child, killed by government forces when they attacked a community of Misuari's followers in search of Abu Sayyaf members.

Source: Xinhua