Arroyo: No letup in offensives vs MILF

President Arroyo said Monday there will be no letup in offensives against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) until the rebels surrender.

In a press conference upon her arrival in Washington D.C., Arroyo said military operations will concentrate on "terrorist cells' in Central Mindanao, which comprises the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

The President, who authorized "punitive action" against the MILF before leaving for the United States last Saturday, praised the military attack on MILF targets over the weekend, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least 50 rebels.

MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu denied that the MILF suffered casualties.