MANILA, Philippines -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has ordered its men to pull out from areas that they have occupied in Lanao del Norte, as the military launched offensives against the Muslim rebels, a spokesman for the MILF said.

"The MILF leadership ordered them to pullout, get out of the area," MILF civil military affairs chief Eid Kabalu said in a phone interview Monday.

"We did not sanction this," Kabalu said, referring to what he described as an "occupation" of Kolambugan and Kauswagan towns.

The military said the rebels attacked Kolambugan, Kauswagan, Maigo, Linamon, and portions of Iligan City.

Kabalu said the occupation of the Lanao towns showed the rebels' frustration over the pace of the peace negotiations.