Manila - The Philippine military scaled down Monday an offensive against Muslim secessionist rebels in the southern Philippines in observance of the start of Islam's holy month of Ramadan.

Armed forces' chief of staff General Alexander Yano said the military will continue to pursue two Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel commanders who led a series of deadly attacks last month.

"The punitive actions will continue even during the Ramadan but we have to be very sensitive and as I've said we have to make some adjustments on the ground," he said.

"We will have to strike a good balance between the accomplishment of the mission and the sensitivities in connection with the Ramadan," he added.

The military has been pursuing MILF Commanders Umbra Ameril Kato and Abdullah Macapaar, also known as Commander Bravo, who seized towns and occupied villages in Lanao Del Norte and North Cotabato provinces, killing dozens of civilians and displacing more than 360,000.

The hostilities started after the Supreme Court halted the signing of a territorial deal between the MILF and the government that would have expanded an existing Muslim autonomous region in the strife-torn southern island of Mindanao.

The Philippine government eventually scrapped the deal amid strong opposition by Catholic politicians. But the MILF insists that the government should honour the agreement, which was negotiated for more than four years. (dpa)