ARMED Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday, September 9, reminded his men not to meddle or engage in partisan politics as he belied allegations of divisiveness or rumblings within their ranks.
The general, fresh from a presidential trip to Israel and Jordan, issued the statement amid the revocation of the amnesty and impending arrest of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy officer.
"Our loyalty is to the Constitution. I command the troops to adhere to the rule of law and always obey the chain of command," Galvez said in a statement.
"Violation of these instructions will be dealt with severely and personnel who will get involved will be immediately relieve from their post and investigated,” he added.
In the same statement, Galvez said the General Court Martial proceedings against Trillanes will be on hold pending the Supreme Court's decision on a petition challenging the constitutionality of Presidential Proclamation 572.
Proclamation 572, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 31, declared the amnesty granted by former President Benigno Aquino III to Trillanes as void from the beginning for his alleged failure to admit guilt and file an application for amnesty before the Department of National Defense (DND).
The proclamation also ordered Trillanes' arrest, although President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to respect the judiciary and await the Makati Regional Trial Court's decision on the motion filed by the Department of Justice for the issuance of an arrest warrant against Trillanes.
Trillanes has been holed up in his office at the Senate since the proclamation was made known to the public on Tuesday, September 4. He has hinted that some officers allegedly faced a dilemma because of the developments.
'United'
Galvez reiterated that the men and women of the AFP remain "united and strong" despite the differences in views and opinion on various issues, including Trillanes’ amnesty.
“Let me then, as the AFP Chief of Staff, take this occasion to warn persons who or groups that attempt to divide the AFP by sowing intrigues and discord among its Officers and Enlisted personnel. You will not succeed,” he added.
It was the first time that the AFP chief spoke about the issue as he was with President Duterte in his official visit in Israel and Jordan when Proclamation 572 was made public.
Except for the statement issued Sunday, Galvez said he will no longer comment on the merits of the case pending the decision of the SC.
Trillanes along with more than 30 other dissident soldiers under the Magdalo group were charged for their involvement in the Oakwood Mutiny in July 2003, the Marine standoff in February 2006, and the Manila Peninsula Siege in November 2007.
These uprisings were staged against then President now House speaker Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo.
Proclamation 75, which was issued by Aquino in December 2010, however, granted amnesty to Trillanes and the other soldiers.
Trillanes has denied the allegations and showed documents to prove that he filed an application and admitted guilt.
Through his lawyer, the senator has filed a petition for Certiorari, Prohibition and Injunction with a prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) before the Supreme Court (SC).
The DOJ, meanwhile, has filed a "very urgent motion" before Branch 148 and 150 of the Makati RTC for the issuance of an arrest warrant against Trillanes.
Earlier, AFP spokesperson Edgard Arevalo said Trillanes is automatically reverted to active military service due to the revocation of his amnesty.
He will once again be subjected to court martial proceedings over his involvement in the Oakwood Mutiny and Manila Peninsula Siege. (SunStar Philippines)