AFP denies government may drop peace talks with NDF
By Alexis Romero, The Philippine Star
January 23, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines – The military yesterday belied the claim of communist rebels that some sectors within the Armed Forces are spreading false information to pressure the government to drop the peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said they have not received reports about soldiers disseminating rumors to derail the talks with the rebels.

“We did not receive such information (about soldiers spreading rumors). The AFP continues to support the peace initiatives of the government,” Burgos told The STAR in a phone interview.

Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc echoed this, saying the soldiers are aspiring for lasting peace since they have experienced the horrors of war.

“We want the peace talks to move forward. Soldiers suffer hardships and casualties during armed conflict,” Cabunoc told radio dzBB.

“We are continuously urging armed groups to abandon their armed struggle so the miseries of our countrymen would end.”

He dismissed as “propaganda” the claim of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that some elements within the AFP want to derail the talks.

Last week, sources told The STAR that the return of CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison to the Philippines is now the subject of talks between the government and the rebels.

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