But both Sulu provincial officials led by Gov. Sakur Tan and MNLF leaders denied the reports on the impending attack.

MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari has been in detention since Jan. 7, 2002 because of rebellion charges filed against him by the national government in connection with the MNLF attacks in Jolo, Sulu on Nov. 19, 2001 on military garrisons. The assault resulted in the killing of more than 100 people.

Last Monday, Goltiao, interviewed over radio DXMS in Cotabato City, raised the possibility of another attack by the MNLF men in Sulu to pressure the government into releasing him.

"We have been informed that they have a plan to create noise, attract attention, and pressure the government to release Chairman Misuari from detention," Goltiao said.

Reached by the Manila Bulletin, Ustadhz Murshi Ibrahim, a top MNLF leader in Sulu and secretary general of the Misuari group, denied any MNLF plan to create trouble.

"That is flagrantly untrue. MNLF forces have always been on red alert since the resumption of the newly imposed war in Sulu. Despite the provocation, they will not go to war unless attacked by the enemy," said Ibrahim.

"The MNLF will (not) resort to any violent measure for Maas’ (Misuari) release from illegal incarceration. The court has already proven that," he added, maintaining that Misuari is innocent of the rebellion charges.

"Such news is insidiously designed to obfuscate ‘Maas’ way to freedom."

Goltiao said his office has been getting persistent reports from informants on the massing of MNLF forces in Talipao, Sulu, adding the reports came from reliable sources.

But Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan said there was no indication that the MNLF will create trouble or launch attacks in the province.

"That is not true," Tan said, adding he was in a meeting in Sulu with military officials yesterday when he was called up over the phone.

Marine Commandant Gen. Ben Muhammad Dolorfino said his command has no information on any impending MNLF attack.

Sulu provincial director Supt. Jul Asirim Kasim, in a report to Goltiao’s office, in Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan, said Misuari’s men had planned last week to stage simultaneous attacks on military garrisons in Barangay Bayug in Talipao, a remote town in Sulu.

"We have not lowered our guard even if its more than a week now since the alleged plan was hatched. All police units in the entire province are on full alert," Kasim said.

Ustadhz Abubakar Muhaimen, Misuari’s liaison officer at the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said MNLF forces were not massing in Talipao, where they have camps in the villages of Tiis and Kaumpang Upat.

"Maybe some people want to destroy the peaceful efforts for the release of Chairman Misuari," said Muhaimen, adding the two camps have about 700 MNLF fighters.