Communists claim Duterte called off peace talks to allow for military offensive

June 17, 2018

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said in a statement on Sunday the unilateral cancellation by President Rodrigo Duterte of scheduled resumption of peace negotiations was made primarily in consideration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines's ongoing campaign for all-out military offensive across the country until the end of 2018.

"By calling off the scheduled peace negotiations with the NDFP ( National Democratic Front of the Philippines), Duterte aims to give the AFP more time to complete its military campaign plan for 2018 of mounting bigger offensives under Oplan Kapayapaan in the hope of crippling the NPA and inducing the NDFP to negotiate a surrender," said the CPP.

The CPP claimed Duterte cancelled the scheduled talks with the NDFP after being briefed on the status of Oplan Kapayapaan in a meeting with the top brass of the AFP and defense officials.

The CPP alleged the military wants three to six months before Duterte resumes talks.

The AFP has recruited at least 5,000 troops last year and seeks to add 10,000 more troops until the end of the year, the CPP claimed.

Formal peace talks were scheduled to resume on June 28-30. DMS