Manila strikes 'truce' with Moro rebels

Ben Loong, the governor of southern Jolo island, told government officials he helped broker the agreement with Muslim leader Habier Malik, who led Moro National Liberation Front forces in an uprising on Jolo earlier this month.

"We cannot say it's a ceasefire but we call it a gentleman's talk between the armed forces and the MNLF," Loong said.

Malik, a loyal follower of jailed MNLF founder Nur Misuari, led about 300 MNLF fighters supported by the Abu Sayyaf in attacks on military outposts in Jolo on February 6, triggering fighting that claimed the lives of 25 soldiers and about 70 rebels.

More than 27,000 people fled their homes due to the clashes.

Although Malik's base in the jungles outside Panamao town had been captured and his forces dispersed, the fugitive religious leader remains in hiding with many of his armed followers still at large.