MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines will continue military operations against the New People's Army until President Rodrigo Duterte orders otherwise.
Brig. Gen Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said Sunday that the military will wait for orders from President Duterte and official word from the government peace panel.
"Pending this, all military operations will continue and remain at current state," Padilla said.
This is despite the announcement of government and National Democratic Front panels on Sunday that formal talks are set to resume.
On Sunday, the GRP and the NDF released a joint statement of their agreement to resume peace talks. Both parties has also agreed to reinstate their respective unilateral ceasefire declarations.
READ: Gov’t, NDF to resume peace talks, truce
Padilla, however, reiterated that the AFP supports all peace initiatives by the government, adding that the AFP has a proven track record of being a reliable partner in all peace talks.
"We share the commander-in-chief's aspiration to attain a just and lasting peace for our country," Padilla said.
He added that the military will do all it can "to deliver on this" for the benefit of the Filipinos, especially in conflicted areas.
Last February 3, President Duterte declared that he will end the unilateral cease fire with the rebels after the NPA announced it would end its unilateral cease fire with the government and resumed attacks on government troops.