The authorities have begun looking for Nur Misuari, current governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, to determine whether he led 300 Moro National Liberation Front members in an attack on army headquarters in Jolo, southern Philippines yesterday morning, a senior official said.

The attacks which left 51 MNLF and four government troops, two of them officers, dead led to a mass exodus in the island as residents in the area left their homes and sheltered in hastily set up evacuation centres.

"He is the ARMM governor. He should take care of the government's interest. He should be after law and order," said Eduardo Ermita, peace process adviser.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, meanwhile, will not shorten her working visit in the U.S. because of the MNLF attack in Jolo.

"The purpose of the attack was to embarrass her. She will not return at once," said presidential spokesperson, Rigoberto Tiglao.

Many said the attack was due to the ire of autonomous region Governor Nur Misuari.

A 15-man governing council led by Dr Farouk Hussin, former MNLF foreign minister, ousted him last April. Misuari called for a renewed secessionist war in Mindanao during the Fifth National Bangsa Moro Congress in Jolo on November 5.

He also junked the peace accord that he signed with the government that ended the secessionist war in Mindanao in 1996.

Misuari called on the MNLF to boycott the elections after Arroyo chose Hussin as the administration's gubernatorial candidate in the autonomous region's election on November 26.

Misuari had earlier issued threats that he would "go back to the hills" and engage the government if the ARMM elections push through. He also threatened to sabotage the November 26 autonomous region elections through terrorist means.

Sources said Misuari has remained in Jolo, but other sources said he allegedly flew to Malaysia's nearby border.

"I received a report that he has cut off communications with the government. He refuses to talk from his headquarters in Jolo, Sulu," said Armed Forces Southern Command Lt Gen Roy Cimatu.

"This is a bad sign. Misuari is trying to be a trouble-maker just because he could not get what he wanted – the postponement of the ARMM elections from November 26 to 2003," said Congressmen Prospero Pichay.

"I am worried that some 5,000 integrees (former MNLF members who joined the military and the police) might join him in his cause," said Pitchay. "They are not yet a national threat."

Pichay said the military will add two more brigades to army headquarters to deter more MNLF attacks.

At the same time, regional police chief Akmad Omar hinted that Abu Sayyaf forces have joined the MNLF in attacking Jolo's military base.

In reaction, Dr Abdurahman Amin, executive secretary of former MNLF chairman Nur Misuari denied the MNLF has merged with the Abu Sayyaf, adding: "His (Misuari's) words were very clear in the recent Bangsamoro Congress that he'll never allow the MNLF to have alliance with the Abu Sayyaf."

"Military forces have secured government facilities in central Mindanao and we are on red alert because of intelligence reports that Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces will carry out terror attacks," said Southern Command Spokesman, army Lt Danilo Ando.

Heavily-armed soldiers and policemen and armoured vehicles guarded the City Hall, the central police station, and other government installations.

The police and the military arrested several 'suspicious' people, but freed them later after brief questioning.

Some residents from Uwak, Cabantangan complained that the fatigues-clad armed MNLF men who have been patrolling their communities, entered their homes, coerced them to evacuate, occupied and raided residences. Some 200 residents have fled to nearby Sta Maria and Pasonanca barangays.

A source from the 103rd Brigade told Gulf News that parts of Indanan, Patikul and Parang on the island are now under the control of the militants. Some MNLF were seen on the sea of Sulu aboard motorised outriggers heading to Zamboanga.

A senior Malaysian embassy official, who asked not to be named, said Kuala Lumpur is worried about the fighting in Jolo. The official said the fighting could send refugees fleeing to Sabah, several hours by boat from Jolo.

"Malaysia is worried about the fighting and worried over the possibility that hundreds of Filipino refugees may flee to Sabah to avoid the fighting. Kuala Lumpur, which is helping to bring peace to southern Philippines, is very concerned about the escalation of hostilities," the official said.