MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) efforts are always geared towards peace and development, its spokesperson said Wednesday.
"The AFP is for peace and development and will always follow the policy direction of the President and political leaders," Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin said in a message to reporters when sought to comment on President Rodrigo R. Duterte's announcement that he is willing to reconsider peace talks with the New People's Army (NPA) should a ceasefire be reached.
Datuin, however, said the NPA and its political leadership should reciprocate their actions with sincerity once they declare a ceasefire and return to the negotiation table.
Duterte, on Nov. 23, 2017, signed Proclamation No. 30, ordering the termination of all peace negotiations and meetings with the rebel group.
The termination was an offshoot of rebel atrocities and other acts of violence against civilians and security forces. (PNA)
