AFP denies accusations on sabotaging peace talks

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 25): AFP denies accusations on sabotaging peace talks

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) vehemently denied allegations made by the National Democratic Front (NDF) that the military is out to sabotage the ongoing peace talks.

This is in wake of the clash in Makilala, North Cotabato which resulted in the death of one rebel and captured of three automatic rifles over the weekend.

The NDF claimed its forces were deliberately attacked by AFP units in the area.

"That's not true. We are sincere in the peace talks and we will continue to support the peace negotiation until the permanent and long lasting peace is attained," AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año said.

"What happened in Makilala is an isolated case. The Army responded to the call of the PNP to confront a group of lawless armed men who commandeered the truck of SLDC with the intent to burn it," he added.

Año said the responding soldiers were not even sure if the perpetrators are NPA until after the encounter and the NDF issued a statement.

"We hope that the NDF would restrain and control the NPA to stop commiting criminal activities like extortion and arson," he added.

The AFP chief said the military and the PNP will continue to enforce the law and protect the people in the communities despite the incident.

"This is really an unfortunate but still, we enjoin the other side to work with us in finding the peaceful solution to this conflict the first step of which it forging a bilateral ceasefire agreement,"Año said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=957994