MANILA — The rebels must show sincerity in dealing with the peace process.
This was emphasized by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Emmanuel Garcia when sought for a comment regarding the possible resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) Tuesday.
“The AFP will always follow the policy direction of the political leadership. We leave it to our political leaders to decide on political questions and we will always follow legally mandated decisions,” he said.
Garcia also said that AFP supports every effort and initiative to forge peace in the country and the need for having a just and lasting one.
“However, the CPP-NPA-NDF must show sincerity in dealing with the peace process. They must stop all atrocities including attacks, ambush of troops, coercion and killing of civilians, recruitment, use of IEDs (improvised explosive devices), extortion, arson; and all anti-peace activities that undermine communities,” the military official added.
Garcia said regardless of the outcome of the proposed peace talks, the AFP will always abide by our constitutional mandate to protect the people and the state.
On Nov. 23, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 360, ordering the termination of all peace negotiations and meetings with the rebel group.
The termination was an offshoot of the rebel atrocities and other acts of violence against civilians and security forces. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
