AMPATUAN, Maguindanao?As Muslims started the Eid celebrations that marked the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, soldiers moved out of their camps Friday for Operation Alpha, the military?s code for the manhunt on the remaining suspects in the Maguindanao massacre.

Brig. Gen. Ernesto Aradanas, commander of the Army?s 603rd Infantry Brigade, said the military respected the celebration of Eid?l Fitr, which was why Army troops were dispatched only after the 7 a.m. community prayers.

Operation Alpha was aimed at helping the police and the Department of Justice serve the warrants to suspects-at-large.

Residents said they were wary about being displaced again when soldiers clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels.

But Aradanas said the military would avoid contact with MILF rebels.

?The military continues to observe, protect, preserve and pursue the peace process. (The) 603rd Brigade will not start any hostility against the MILF,? he said.

Aradanas said the operation was solely for the arrest of the remaining suspects.

?We are committed to help the PNP and the DOJ apprehend and serve the warrants of arrest to the suspects in the Ampatuan massacre,? he said in a text message to reporters.

Aradanas said he was optimistic the operation would not last longer than two weeks.

Aradanas said he had conducted a dialogue with Shariff Aguak town officials to allay fears among civilians of evacuations.

He said during the Aug. 19 meeting, he assured local leaders that the main targets of a pursuit operation were mostly Ampatuan clan members or their close allies.

Among those being hunted down were Bahnarim Ampatuan, the mayor of Mamasapano when the massacre happened, Canor Ampatuan, former vice mayor of Datu Salibo town, former Vice Mayor Sukarno Badal of Sultan Sa Barongis, Maguindanao, Datu Ulo Ampatuan, former vice mayor of Shariff Aguak and Ipe Ampatuan, a barangay chair.

Aradanas said he also sought the cooperation of the suspects? relatives to persuade them to surrender without ?unnecessary bloodshed.?

Relatives of the accused officials have denied their alleged involvement in the massacre. Nash B. Maulana, Inquirer Mindanao