MANILA, Philippines?The military top brass has ordered troops in Mindanao to use the "big carrot and big stick" approach with rogue Moro rebels in support of the peace process the government has been working out with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In a seven-page command message, AFP chief General Victor Ibrado came up with a detailed guidance to troops on how they should deal with MILF leaders in a coordinated and persistent manner.

"Solicit their assistance to prevent hostilities if only to show government's sincerity to talk peace. Know and discuss peace dividends [and] articulate and show that we come in good faith," said Ibrado in his message, dated July 13.

While the military would enforce the law against any group that would attempt to harass citizens, it would also continue to appeal to them, through their kin, to abandon violence and avail themselves of the government's social integration program, said Ibrado.

He also warned his men against using improper terminologies.

"Instead of LMGs (lawless MILF groups) refer to them as Kato's group, Pangalian's group or Bravo's group, etc.," he said, referring to wanted commanders Abdullah Macapaar, Ameril Umbra Kato and Aleem Sulaiman Pangalian allegedly responsible for the bloody attacks in August last year.

The three commanders launched several attacks in Central Mindanao after the government backed out of a deal on the creation of a Bangsamoro homeland in Mindanao after the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional.

Ibrado also instructed the troops to show that the AFP was "neither oppressive nor militarized" as the world continued to watch the Philippines and the growing number of people displaced from their homes because of the clashes in Mindanao.

The number of internally displaced people (IDP) reached roughly 200,000 at one point after the attacks last year.

He urged troops to work with non-government organizations in Mindanao and treat them as partners, not as obstacles in their mission to enforce the law.

"They are here to ameliorate sufferings of affected citizens... let the media and international NGOs tell the world of our genuine desire to end the Mindanao conflict," he said.

He continued, "let them know that the IDPs are in our top agenda. Convince them that we need to be firm against anyone out to sabotage peace and stability."

The message came more than a week before the military suspended its offensives against Moro rebels to give way to the resumption of the peace talks with the MILF.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. earlier said the suspension of combat operations against the MILF was to give room for internally displaced persons to return to their homes and restore normal lives.