After a recent surge in violence perpetrated by elements of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), including attacks to reclaim former rebel territory, Philippine Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said March 8 that the military was ready for an all-out offensive on the group. The assaults by factions in the MILF violated the cease-fire signed with the government in 2001 and forced Manila to temporarily suspend formal peace talks with the group. The military and government hope that threats of force against the MILF will polarize the extremist group, separating those that want peace from those that want to continue the fight for a separate Muslim state. If such a plan succeeds, as it has in the past, the military can overpower and negate the more aggressive, volatile elements in the MILF while continuing peace negotiations with a more cooperative faction. The cohesion and ability of MILF leaders to keep the group together will determine the success of the government's plans. In addition to the recent attacks, a MILF leader warned March 8 that chances for clashes between his group and U.S. forces in the country are steadily increasing, Agence France-Presse reported. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in January agreed to a deployment of around 650 U.S. troops to the southern island of Basilan to help train Philippine soldiers to combat the Muslim terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. Philippine government and armed forces representatives have made repeated claims that the MILF has links with Abu Sayyaf and has even aided the group. While the MILF denies the claims, in February factions of the separatist group launched various attacks despite the current cease-fire. For instance, MILF members attacked a security outpost Feb. 23 near Buluan on the southern island of Mindanao, wounding one government militiaman, AFP reported. The next day rebels torched a government bulldozer, killing one civilian and injuring two in Shariff Aguab in the Magindinao province, according to Philippine Headline News Online. Col. Triponio Salazar said the military recovered MILF documents indicating that the group's vice chairman for military affairs, Al-Haj Murad, ordered attacks to recapture rebel camps lost in 2000, Philstar.com news agency reported March 8. Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan also claimed the MILF aided in Abu Sayyaf kidnappings and obstructed attempts to rescue the hostages. Sen. Rodolfo Biazon also said March 8 that the MILF "was coddling, supporting and protecting the Abu Sayyaf," according to Philstar. For its part, the MILF countered that factions in the government wanted to link the separatist group with terrorist organizations to justify expanding the joint exercises with U.S. troops from Basilan island into Mindanao, where the MILF operates. Rebel military chief Ebrahim Murad denied that any orders were given that would violate the cease-fire, and the group's vice chairman for political affairs said the organization was sincere in pursuing peace talks, Philstar reported March 8. The MILF also addressed claims it conspired in Abu Sayyaf kidnappings. The Mindanao Times reported March 8 that MILF chairman Hashim Salamat and secretary Muhammad Ameen signed a document dated Feb. 26 directing the group's armed wing to arrest and take "drastic action" against kidnappers active in MILF-controlled areas. Government and military factions, however, have ignored MILF's claims of innocence. Biazon called for its inclusion as one of the targets of the joint exercises with the U.S. troops, ABS-CBNNEWS.com reported March 8. Reyes, who ordered a large-scale offensive against the MILF under ousted former President Joseph Estrada, said he doubts the group's sincerity in peace talks with the government and indicated military forces were ready for another offensive against the MILF. By threatening the MILF, the military and factions of the government hope to provoke a split in the 12,500-member rebel group between its violent blocs and factions calling for peace. Indeed, the claims by the group's vice chairman for political affairs that the MILF wants to pursue peace — while other members are carrying out attacks — indicate a break is already forming. MILF members are also holding informal talks March 12 with the government's Coordinating Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities. Threats against the MILF will anger the more radical elements and likely cause them to take further action, justifying military efforts to squash these rogue elements. At the same time, Arroyo is continuing to invite the group to the negotiating table. Those in the MILF tired of fighting, and seeing the poverty caused by conflict in Mindanao, will want to accept the president's invitation. This divide will weaken the group, make it easier to manipulate, and set up an opportunity for the government to establish peace with the cooperative faction. Such tactics have proved successful in the past. The government established a peace agreement in 1996 with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the original separatist Muslim group in the Philippines. The peace agreement angered the more radical members, who split off and formed the MILF. The MNLF experienced a similar split at the end of last year as well, when leader Nur Misuari allegedly abused power and squandered government funds as governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). As pressure on him mounted he tried to lead a revolt in November and is now in custody. The military quieted his supporters and installed a more cooperative MNLF leader as governor of the ARMM. The split in the MNLF between supporters and opponents of the radical Misuari weakened the organization, allowing the government to bring it to heel. The same could happen with the MILF.