THE peace group Sowing the Seeds of Peace and Philippine Ecumenical Platform (PEPP) are dismayed after President Rodrigo Duterte denied he appointed former Philippine Coconut Authority chief Avelino Andal to lead the backchannel talks with Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) Bishop Felixberto Calang said as peace advocates, they “were pleased and believed” Andal as a delegated authority from the President.

“The Bisaya word ‘palaw’ (disappointing) approximates the fiasco that just happened, when Mr. Andal's announcement was treated by the security sector as ‘fake news,’” Calang said.

“It is therefore unfortunate that even before the message of peace was about to fly, it was already shut down,” he added.

The peace advocate group, however, urges the President to continue sending messengers of peace.

“Now, more than ever, we need messengers of peace than hawks of war,” he said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also dismissed reports that Andal was appointed to lead the backchannel talks, saying it is fake news.