AFP chief Galvez: Peace talks suspended because Reds abused ceasefire

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez Jr. had some choice words for Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Joma Sison on Tuesday, after the latter blamed security officials for the termination of peace talks.

“Jose Maria Sison is once again frothing lies in his mouth as he desperately attempts to circumvent the facts on the ground and regain relevance in their so-called armed struggle,” Galvez said in a statement.

A report in the Manila Times earlier quoted Sison as saying that President Rodrigo Duterte's military advisers had convinced him to suspend the peace talks and that the military could wipe the rebels out. 

Instead, said Galvez, the peace negotiations were terminated due to "the [rebels'] exploitation of the ceasefire declaration with rampant recruitment and extortion efforts" and "the need to review past and future agreements and legitimize the peace talks through consultation with the public."

According to Galvez, the CPP and its armed wing the New People's Army were not sincere in wanting to achieve peace through negotiations; instead, he said, they want to dominate and will not give up their armed struggle.

The AFP chief also said that Sison, through his allegations against the military, is merely trying to divert the attention of the public from a foiled "ouster plot" against the administration.

Galvez's statement also listed the military's latest accomplishments in incapacitating the communist group, including the surrender of 9,795 regular members, Militia ng Bayan, underground organization members, and mass base supporters of CPP-NPA nationwide as of October 10.

The statement also said that a total of 1,344 assorted firearms have been seized from the NPA. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News