Manila - The Philippines' military chief on Wednesday urged government troops in the strife-torn south to "calibrate" their response against intensified attacks by Muslim rebels who have grown impatient over the continued delay in peace talks. 

Armed forces chief of staff General Alexander Yano said troops should continue to uphold the primacy of the peace process despite the "irritating" attacks by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in the southern region of Mindanao. 

"These events, while irritating and taxing the patience of our ground commanders, should not detract us from the main effort of pushing the peace agenda to a successful conclusion," he said in a directive issued to senior military officials in the area. 

But Yano stressed that troops have the right to defend themselves if attacked. 

"Troops, however, need not be sitting ducks in the face of these provocations," he said. "(Troops) reserve the right to deal with such provocations with proportionate and justified force in defense of themselves and the communities." 

"Good commanders can properly calibrate their critical responses," Yano added. 

Since last week, clashes have erupted between government troops and MILF rebels in Mindanao, leaving at least three dead and thousands of civilians displaced. The fighting broke out after MILF rebels launched separate attacks on military outposts and communities in the provinces of Maguindanao, Sarangani and North Cotabato. 

Peace talks between the government and the MILF have been stalled since December last year over disagreements on the scope of territory to be included in a proposed Muslim homeland in Mindanao. 

Eid Kabalu, MILF's civil military affairs chief, said guerrilla commanders blame the Philippine government for the delay in the negotations and have expressed doubt over the government's sincerity in achieving peace in Mindanao. (dpa)