The Armed Force of the Philippines said it will continue its ongoing focused military operations against the remaining communist insurgents in the country, following the government's announcement of possible engagement with the Communist Party of the Philippines' political wing, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in renewed peace negotiations.
"As far as the AFP is concerned, we will continue with our mission and we will continue with our focused military operations. So tuloy-tuloy lang (This will continue) for the commanders who are here and for those who are joining online," Brawner said at the AFP Leadership Summit in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Wednesday.
Brawner said the continuation of military operations against CPP-NDPF's armed wing New People's Army was a direct guideline from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"We will continue doing focused military operations against the New People's Army," the AFP chief underscored.
"Para klaro so wala na yung magsasabi na peace talks na naman, aatras na naman instead of moving toward with the gains, aatras na naman tayo and this will just give the NPA a chance to regroup. So let me clarify that as far as the AFP is concerned, tuluy-tuloy ang laban," Brawner said
Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. clarified that the announcement yesterday was not about the resumption of the stalled peace talks.
On 23 November 2017, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 360 declaring the permanent termination of the government's peace negotiation with the CPP-NPA-NDFP, due to the latter's alleged failure to show sincerity in the peace process.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also clarified that there are no peace talks yet.
"The headline that came out are peace talks. That is not the correct situation. These are exploratory talks, there are no formal peace talks yet and so the people who are reacting are jumping the line," Teodoro said.
"What is clear here is that the AFP will continue the law enforcement operations," he added.
