MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday dismissed reports that former Philippine Coconut Authority chief Avelino “Billy” Andal was appointed to lead the backchannel talks with Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison. But Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. also denied Andal’s claim. Mr. Andal is not connected with OPAPP [Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process] and previously engaged in any peace tables. Duterte scrapped the peace talks with communist rebels in 2017 due to alleged continuing attacks by rebels on government troops. His government is the sixth administration to deal with communist rebels.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 15, 2019 11:37 UTC