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Manila: The Philippines called on rebels to rein in their members on Friday after some guerrillas refused to heed government orders to leave Catholic farmlands in the south.
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) agreed to pull out from villages in North Cotabato province after the government gave them a 24-hour deadline on Thursday and warned they faced a combined military and police offensive if they did not move.
Around 70 out of an estimated 800 rebels have already left and more are going but an undetermined number refuses to leave.
"We are presently dealing with a recalcitrant group of MILF which appeared to be disregarding the call of their leaders to vacate certain areas in North Cotabato," said a spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres.
Justifiable force
"We will apply proportionate and justifiable force, whenever necessary, to ensure that laws are upheld and peace is restored in the province."
The government said on Thursday it would take action against what it said was a MILF attack on nine villages in North Cotabato last month.
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