AFP: Duterte told Reds can’t be trusted

Short of discouraging peace talks with communist rebels, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday said the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army was using the peace process only to “regroup, convene and recruit new members.”

AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said, though, that it was still up to the Commander in Chief whether to proceed with peace negotiations.

He said the military had already briefed President Duterte about the rebels’ “losing streak” and their practice of using lulls in combat to regain strength.

At a press briefing on Monday in Camp Aguinaldo, Arevalo advised the public to remain “vigilant and critical” of the communist rebels’ desire for a truce.

The rebels, Arevalo said, were “merely advancing their armed struggle.” “They will never abandon it,” he said.

“We’re talking about sincerity here,” Arevalo said.

“If we want real peace we will stop fighting, talk peace and we will not boost our strength,” he said.