ILOILO CITY, Philippines -- Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo on Friday called on the government to learn the lessons from the “failed total war" policies in dealing with rebel groups.

Ocampo also raised concern over the mounting civilian casualties in military operations against Moro rebels.

"The total war or a primarily military approach to rebel groups failed during more than 20 years of the Marcos dictatorship. It also failed under Erap (ousted president Joseph Estrada). It will fail again under the Arroyo administration," Ocampo said in an interview on the sidelines of a forum here.

Ocampo was reacting to the statement of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro that the government was now focusing on using force against rebel groups after peace negotiations with Moro rebels collapsed.

He said the government's framework of "disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation (DDR)" in dealing with rebel groups, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the National Democratic Front, would not result in the long-term resolution of the armed conflicts.

"Disarmament and demobilization before substantial issues are tackled and resolved would be unacceptable to the MILF and NDF. And this would mean that the armed hostilities will continue," said Ocampo, who was among the NDF negotiators during the failed GRP-NDF peace negotiations in 1986 after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship.

Peace negotiations between the government and communist rebels have bogged down due to disagreements, including the implementation of previous agreements signed by the negotiating panels.

Ocampo said the government's shift in its framework in dealing with rebel groups would require more soldiers and arms to be poured into areas with rebel presence.

"This would also mean more human rights violations, civilian casualties and displacements of communities caught in the crossfire," Ocampo said.

He said the alleged violations committed by MILF commanders Ameril Ombra Kato and Abdulla Macapaar were a "police matter" and should not be pursued through massive military operations.

The two commanders were accused of leading their troops in a rampage in several Central Mindanao towns, including the killing of civilians and the burning of houses.

Ocampo said the alleged violations of the MILF commanders should have been brought to the attention of the ceasefire monitoring committee of the MILF-GRP panels.

"The government should not adopt a macho approach. Negotiations should be resumed because of the mounting civilian casualties," he said.