AFP: Brawner misquoted over destab remarks

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday clarified there's no truth about a supposed destabilization plot among its retired officers, noting that military chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. was "simply misquoted" in his remarks during a change of command ceremony in Zamboanga City last Friday.

Speaking with the troops at the headquarters of the Western Mindanao Command, Brawner was quoted as saying that "some of those involved in the destabilization plot against the Marcos administration are former AFP officers."

"I talked to some of them and I told them sir you have the right to do that because we are in democracy, but please do not involve the active personnel of the AFP," Brawner said in his remarks.

Brawner also appealed to destabilization plotters not to "involve the active personnel of the AFP."

However, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar, said Brawner was just cautioning soldiers over participating in any attempt to destabilize the government. 

"General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., the Chief of Staff, AFP, was simply misquoted," Aguilar stressed.

"In his message to the troops during the Change of Command Ceremony of the Western Mindanao Command… He merely mentioned the reported efforts by certain individuals to upset the peace and stability that the country is enjoying right now under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.," he added.

"Therefrom, General Brawner again reminded all AFP personnel to remain professional and loyal to their oath to protect the people and the State," Aguilar continued.

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año lamented that "healthy and passionate exchanges among some retired military officers" exist and "even some criticism against certain policies of the current administration, but they are within the bounds of our  democratic space."

"The Chief of Staff, AFP was misquoted or misinterpreted by the media while he was talking to the troops," Año, who is a former AFP chief himself, told reporters on Sartuday.

Año denied there was a destabilization movement against the government among its former ranks. 

"The  AFP and the entire security sector are loyal to the commander in chief and will not be influenced to join any destabilization plot against the government," he said. 

He then assured that the security sector will remain vigilant and ready to take immediate action should attempts "from any sinister group that will undermine our national security."