The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said reports that some military personnel are resigning from the service in protest of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest of former president Duterte “remain unverified.”

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military personnel organization remains a professional, unified, and non-partisan institution, committed to its constitutional mandate of defending the nation and serving the Filipino people.

“Our personnel continues to remain focused on our sworn duty, upholding the rule of law and the chain of command,” she said. 

In a phone interview with reporters, Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said they have yet to receive any reports about soldiers resigning from their jobs.

“Kung social media lang yang basis natin definitely ano, di natin mapaniwalaan yan. But currently, wala tayong narereceive na reports, actual na mga sundalo, Philippine Army, na nagreresign (If our basis is just social media, definitely, we can't believe that. But as of now, we haven't received any reports, no actual soldiers from the Philippine Army resigning,” he said. 

Dema-ala said the Army troops remain in high morale despite being dragged into the current political rumblings in the government.

“We are a professional organization. We are focused on fulfilling our mandate,” he noted. 

Dema-ala reiterated that there’s no need for a loyalty check to take place in the service.

The Philippine Army is the oldest and largest branch of the AFP. It has 11 divisions and special units deployed across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) also stressed that they have not monitored any unrest nor noted any personnel resignations.

“Our airmen remain alert and ready to perform their duty to maintain peace and security,” Castillo said. 

Castillo emphasized that the PAF remains a professional organization focused on performing its mandate to protect the state and Filipino people.

“We are still in a period of mourning from the loss of our comrades but it only serves to inspire us to do our jobs even better,  amidst the challenges that we currently face,” she said. 

Castillo likewise underscored the PAF’s neutrality.

“The PAF Command ensures that our personnel continue to embody professionalism and loyalty to our flag and people, while maintaining absolute political neutrality” she said. 

Also, the Philippine Navy maintained its adherence to the Chain of Command as a professional organization.

“We remain steadfast in our duty to ensure national security and stability,” Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos said. 

“The Philippine Navy assures all Filipinos that we uphold the highest standard of professionalism. Every sailor and marine will remain loyal to the constitution and to the oath that we took to serve the country and the Filipino people,” he noted.

Rumors of military personnel resigning from their jobs were quick to spread online. These military personnel are allegedly expressing frustration with the government’s move to hand over the former President to an International Court.

Padilla, however, dismissed these claims and urged the public to exercise critical discernment and avoid spreading unconfirmed information.

“We call on all Filipinos to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law. Let us prioritize unity and allow the legal processes to unfold. We have full confidence in our institutions to handle this matter with due diligence,” she said.