AFP backs Duterte's termination of peace talks with Reds

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) backs President Rodrigo Duterte's proclamation terminating the government's peace talks with communist rebels.

“The AFP supports the decision of the President to cancel talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front of the Philippines), and to go ‘all out’ against the NPA terrorists," AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said in a statement on Saturday.

Duterte on Thursday signed the Proclamation No. 360, declaring the termination of peace negotiations with the CPP-NPA-NDFP.

The proclamation came a day after the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process announced that the Philippine government was ending its peace talks with the communist rebels.

It was also signed months after the President said he no longer wants to talk peace with communist rebels in his speeches in February and July.

"The AFP also supports peace initiatives by our local elected officials including programs that seek to integrate NPAs back to mainstream society," Guerrero said.

On Wednesday, Duterte said he would tag all the legal fronts of the NPA as criminals and have them arrested for conspiracy.

Duterte reiterated that he would soon declare NPA as a terror group. —Ted Cordero/ALG, GMA News