Jolo island Manila, Feb 27, SPA -- The Philippine president hasordered the military chief to assess whether the governmentshould declare a truce to halt clashes between troops andMuslim rebels that have killed more than 70 people on asouthern island, her spokesman said Sunday. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has previously ignoredappeals by Jolo island officials for a cease-fire betweentroops and followers of jailed Muslim rebel leader NurMisuari. The clashes broke out on Feb. 7 and have displaced about30,000 people on Jolo, about 950 kilometers (590 miles)south of Manila. A major military offensive has led to the capture of arebel base and driven Misuari's followers into hiding.Fighting has since subsided, but many displaced villagersrefuse to return home, fearing the violence will return. Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Arroyo wasconsidering a possible cease-fire and has ordered militarychief of staff Gen. Efren Abu to fly to Jolo this week toassess whether the government should forge a truce with therebels.--SPA1221 Local Time 0921 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/242688