By Francis Wakefield Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday said claims made by Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) member Avelino "Billy" Andal that he has been tapped by Malacanang to conduct peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) is "fake news". Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Office of the Secretary of National Defense / MANILA BULLETIN) In a text message to defense reporters, Lorenzana said that after making inquiries, he later found out that such information is false. He said according to President Rodrigo Duterte, he never ordered Andal to represent the government in conducting back channel talks with the Reds. "Latest info on Billy Andal’s claim that he was tapped by PRRD to conduct back channeling with the CPP/NPA. It is fake news. The President says he never ordered him to do so," Lorenzana said. Andal was earlier quoted as saying the President ordered him last week to help enable the revival of the peace negotiations with the group led by Jose Maria Sison. “Napag-utusan ang inyong lingkod at utos mula sa Presidente na kung maari ma-resume ang pag-uusap sapagkat ang kanyang pinagdidiinan ay bilang Presidente ay siya’y kaibigan at hindi kaaway ng sinuman maging mga rebelde ,” he said in a phone interview with reporters. “Makipag-backchannel talks doon sa mga lider ng CPP, kay Joma kabilang siempre si Joma na nasa ibabaw o lider ng lahat. Pero siyempre before doing that, kailangan muna mag-groundwork sa mga lider na nandito sa Pilipinas ,” he added. He said the President was sincere in his peace initiative believing that it was key to helping ensure the country’s progress and stability. Duterte, however, did not give any timeline for the backdoor talks with the communist rebels, he added. “Wala naman specific timeline pero ang ramdam ko gusto talaga ni Presidente Duterte na magkaroon ng katahimikan sa bayan at magkasundo-sundo ang lahat ng mga pwersa at grupo na hindi pa nagkakasundo at this point in time. Dahil naniniwala siya na ang katahimikan ng bayan ang susi sa mas mabilis na pag-unlad na nais niya sa sambayanang Pilipino ,” he said. Andal said he started to reach out to some representatives of the communist group who have welcomed the President’s willingness to restart the peace process. “Nagpaabot na ako agad ng feeler para makausap sila at actually tuwang-tuwa sila dahil gusto rin nila ay bumalik sa usapang pangkapayapaan ,” he said. “They are extremely glad na magkakaroon at saka open ang Pangulo para sa pag-uusap ,” he added. Andal declined to disclose further details pending the backchannel talks with the rebels.