The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) said Tuesday that the military deliberately attacked its fighters during an operation against the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in the southern Philippine province of Basilan last Friday.

MILF Vice Chairman for Political Affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said the incident has disturbed the "honeymoon period" between the biggest Muslim rebel group in the country and the Philippine government.

Jaafar said the "honeymoon period" has set in following last month's signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro ( CAB) which would pave the way for the establishment of a new political entity in Mindanao.

"I think the (attack) was intentional but I don't know if they (the military) know that they were attacking the MILF. My message to the military in Basilan province is please do not disturb the honeymoon period between the MILF and the Philippine government," he said.

Based on reports obtained by Jaafar in Basilan, he said that MILF fighters were "affected directly" by the assault launched by the Philippine military against the Abu Sayyaf. The Philippine military attacked the terrorist group after contractors working on a road in Basilan accused the Abu Sayyaf of extortion.

The 16-hour fighting last Friday resulted in the death of 18 Abu Sayyaf members and two soldiers.

For his part, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista said that some MILF members were involved in the fighting but they were acting on their own.

"There were MILF individuals who (joined the fighting) because they are relatives (of the Abu Sayyaf)," said Bautista.

Jaafar said the ceasefire committees of the Philippine government and the MILF are now looking into the incident and that the International Monitoring Team has already been informed of it.

Following the signing of the CAB on March 27, the Philippine government and the MILF are now working on having the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law enacted. The Bangsamoro Basic Law will pave the way for the creation of a new political entity which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.