AMID the claims of President Rodrigo Duterte that there are soldiers who are conspiring with the opposition to unseat him, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) assured that none of their troops is part of any ouster plan.
Eastmincom spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ezra Balagtey said they have been conducting counter-intelligence among their soldiers to determine if there are troops who are included in the supposed plan to oust the commander-in-chief.
“As far as Eastern Mindanao is concerned, we have not received report of any group in the Eastern Mindanao Command kahit sa mga subordinate units that is planning to conduct destabilization,” Balagtey said.
“Continuing ang counter-intelligence operation that is being conducted by the intelligence unit. Ibig sabihin ng counter-intelligence kasi it’s part of protecting the organization from these infiltrations from any threat group sa ating organization,” he added.
While he admitted that the soldiers might have different views on this development, he assured that they remain loyal to the Constitution.
“Eastern Mindanao Command is solid and undivided. We are loyal to the Constitution and to the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.
On Tuesday, President Duterte accused some soldiers of conniving with the Liberal Party and communist group in an effort to overthrow his administration.
“Ang sakit ko dito, kayong mga Liberal, pati sa military nakikipag-ugnayan sila sa mga sundalong rebelde. Hindi ko maintindihan ang utak kung saan ang loyalty nila,” Duterte said. “Hindi bale na magalit sila sa akin. Wala iyon, but to go in cahoots sa kalaban? If you are true to your country, don’t bed with the enemy.”
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claimed that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) plans to conduct a massive uprising to destabilize the government dubbed as “Red October”. However, authorities assured that this plot is bound to fail.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement Thursday, September 27, that it will never participate in any political action aimed "against duly-constituted authorities."
"We will never allow ourselves in the ranks of the active service to take direct or indirect participation in any political actions against the present duly-constituted authorities," said Colonel Edgard Arevalo.
His statement came after reports that some members of the AFP are joining the opposition to remove President Rodrigo Duterte from office. The Palace said earlier though that the opposition forces will find it difficult to oust the President.
Arevalo assured the public Thursday that the AFP is a professional organization that subscribes to the Constitution that it has sworn to uphold and defend.
"We respect the rule of law and court decisions and processes. This includes the case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. The matter is already in the purview of the courts. And to the civil courts we defer. We will not issue further statements related to the case," he said.
He added that the AFP respects the courts and observes due process.
"Every soldier, airman, sailor, and marine in the active service is loyal to the Constitution, adherent to the rule of law, and solidly behind of the Chain of Command," Arevalo said.
He also reminded the troops that those found guilty of participating in political actions will be immediately relieved of their posts, investigated, and meted stiff penalties, as ordered by AFP Chief-of-Staff General Carlito Galvez. (With SunStar Philippines/PNA)