Manila: A local government leader called for the evacuation of civilians ahead of an impending military attack, as a Muslim rebel group refused to surrender a renegade commander who was accused of kill 19 government soldiers on Al Barka, Basilan, in the southern Philippines last October 18.

"We are asking the military to give us enough time to move civilians out of harms way," said Al Barka Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul in a radio interview.

The military and local government officials must coordinate on the operation to be undertaken to run after Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) deputy commander Dan Laksaw Asnawi and his men who allegedly killed 19 soldiers in a clash in Al Barka, Basilan on October 18, said Sakalahul, adding this will help local government officials in evacuating civilians.

Air and ground assault on nine villages in Al Barka town, Basilan has displaced about 10,000 people since last week. "The number of displaced people might increase," said another local government official.

The military's pursuit operation was almost certain after MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said earlier the Front will not surrender Asnawi.

"We cannot surrender him. Asnawi is accused of something criminal he did in the past (beheading of 14 Marines in 2007). In the principle of justice, it means that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. That means that there must be due process," said Jaafar.

It has yet to be proven if Asnawi was the MILF leader responsible for the death of 19 government soldiers last October 18, said Jaafar.

Earlier, it was reported that Dan Laksaw Asnawi was an Abu Sayyaf member alleged as behind the beheading of Marines in 2007.

The 19 soldiers who were killed were part of a mission to send a warrant of arrest against Asnawi.

When the government forces and Asnawi's men clashed, the two parties strayed into an MILF territory. An MILF leader named Hassan Asnawi and his men clashed with government soldiers.

Meanwhile, the military sent the elite 104th Brigade (with 500 men) from Lanao del Sur province to Basilan in preparation for the retaliatory attack. They will join Special Operations Task Force Basilan composed of 91 Special Forces contingent and about 100 Army personnel, sources said.

MILF fighters had been ordered to take up defensive positions in Basilan. "Our forces will defend their positions with their blood," MILF spokesperson Von Al Haq said.

A military assault which is not coordinated with the MILF, would be a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the government, Al Haq said.

It was a sign that the MILF would not allow government forces to run after Asnawi's camp.