Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday rejected proposals for a cease-fire in the southern island of Jolo and ordered the military to continue hunting down the gumen blamed for the deaths of more than two dozen soldiers in fierce fighting last week. A Malacañang Palace press statement said the president issued the order upon the recommendation of Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz and the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Efren Abu. "The will be no letup in our operations to neutralize the remaining leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf and MNLF renegades," said Brig. Gen. Agustin Dema-ala, the military commander in Jolo.Jolo politicians have proposed for a cease-fire after weeks of fighting believed to have killed more than 100 rebels, most of them loyal to jailed Muslim leader Nur Misuari. Misuari's followers, led by Habier Malik, said they attacked military posts in Jolo on Feb. 7 to avenge the death of a Muslim couple and their 14-year old son. The military had claimed the trio were killed during a clash between government troops and members of extremist Abu Sayyaf group. Officials also said the rebels had planned the attacks to force the government to free Misuari, who is being held in a prison near Manila on rebellion charges. Deputy Director General Vidal Querol of the national police said criminal charges are being prepared against Malik and his men. Aside from the murder charges, the police plan to file arson charges against Malik's group for burning several houses during the attacks in Jolo.