Manila, May 2 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Saturday said he will not resume peace talks with the New People's Army (NPA) despite suggestions from former negotiators.

Holding peace talks will elevate the NPA's cause "to something legitimate," which Teodoro said is unacceptable.

Following the April 19 encounter between the military and insurgents in Toboso, Negros Occidental that left 19 people dead, calls mounted to hold a new round of negotiations.

"I object to any peace talks with the NPA. The Filipinos are at peace. They are the ones disturbing the peace. So, why should we talk to them?" Teodoro said in an ambush interview in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

"They're committing crimes. Plain a...