The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Constitution and its dedication to protecting Philippine sovereignty and democratic values.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized the AFP's steadfastness in fulfilling its mandate as the nation's guardian and defender amid rumors of a destabilization plot.

"The AFP reassures the Filipino people that its members continue to exemplify the highest standards of professionalism," Brawner said.

He reassured the Filipino people that the AFP is fully prepared to tackle peace and national security threats.

"With the strong leadership of our Commander-in-Chief, the AFP will move as one in defeating all threats to our peace and national security," Brawner's statement read.

Asked to expound on Brawner's statement, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar declined to comment, saying, "The statement is good enough."

PNP validating plots

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo, said the PNP and the AFP are "validating information" about destabilization plots.

"We want to assure the public that the PNP remains apolitical, intact, solid, and professional," she said.

Echoing Brawner's statement, Fajardo said the PNP is loyal to the Constitution and would only obey legal orders of the duly constituted authorities.

As this developed, the USS Carl Vinson, a nuclear-powered United States aircraft carrier, arrived in the Philippines for a scheduled port call after participating in the two-day joint maritime patrol of the Philippines and the US in the West Philippine Sea.

The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), which is a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, along with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Sterett (DDG 104), is currently in Manila for a port call.