The Philippine president has ordered the military chief to assess whether the government should declare a truce to halt clashes between troops and Muslim rebels that have killed more than 70 people on a southern island, her spokesman said Sunday. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has previously ignored appeals by Jolo island officials for a cease-fire between troops and followers of jailed Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari. The clashes broke out on Feb. 7 and have displaced about 30,000 people on Jolo, about 950 kilometers (590 miles) south of Manila. A major military offensive has led to the capture of a rebel base and driven Misuari's followers into hiding. Fighting has since subsided, but many displaced villagers refuse to return home, fearing the violence will return. Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Arroyo was considering a possible cease-fire and has ordered military chief of staff Gen. Efren Abu to fly to Jolo this week to assess whether the government should forge a truce with the rebels.
