AFP to keep fingers crossed on peace talks

The Armed Forces of the Philippines will keep its fingers crossed as it monitors the progress of formal peace talks between the government and rebel groups. AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said the AFP will particularly keep an eye on the talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA). “By Feb. 15, the negotiations with the CPP-NDF-NPA will start. We will be looking at this intently and from all indications, it will be successful. We just cross our fingers and hope everything will turn out right for the AFP and the whole Philippines," Mabanta said on government-run dzRB radio. Formal talks with the communist rebels will last until Feb. 21. He also noted bright prospects in the results of the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which took place Feb. 9 and 10. “Of all sectors of society who want the peace talks to succeed, perhaps it is the AFP that would be most happy with the recent turn of events, especially with the progress in the peace process with the MILF," Mabanta said. — LBG, GMA News