Chiz criticizes AFP’s 'unnecessary' involvement in politics

Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero on Monday criticized what he called the unnecessary involvement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in political matters that do not concern the military.

Escudero, in a press conference, stressed that the AFP should remain neutral and impartial, particularly in political matters.

“Tila pilit nilang dinadamay ang Sandatahang Lakas sa iba’t-ibang isyu na hindi naman dapat talaga at wala namang isyu (It seems they are unnecessarily involving the Armed Forces in various issues that really shouldn’t concern them and there is no actual issue),” he said.

Escudero voiced his confusion over Vice President Sara's concern, pointing out a recurring pattern among the Duterte family members of directly appealing to the military on different issues.

“Ano'ng gusto niyang palabasin? Magbabangayan ang sundalo at pulis? (What does she want to achieve? For soldiers and police to fight?),” Escudero asked.

On 20 March, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held a motu proprio hearing on the involvement and roles of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Criminal Police Organization, and various government agencies in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte’s allies in the upper chamber questioned the legality of his detention and his subsequent transfer to the ICC.

During the hearing, the Vice President suddenly appeared via teleconference from The Hague, Netherlands. Her surprising participation caught many off guard, as she was not listed as a guest for the session and is known for avoiding congressional inquiries.

In her speech, Sara criticized the AFP for allowing her father’s arrest to happen. She questioned the AFP’s silence on the issue.

“Why did the AFP stand idly by while a former commander-in-chief was taken from a military base under questionable circumstances? How could they allow a foreign tribunal to override our constitutional guarantees? We have now lost a former president. I pray that we do not lose the country next,” Sara asked.

Asked to comment on Sara's remarks, Escudero stressed that the AFP remains a neutral organization.

“Klaro, law enforcement operation ‘yon na nag-assist lamang ang AFP at hindi pwedeng palagan man lang o lumaban ang AFP sa kapulisan kaugnay sa law enforcement operation. Bakit ba natin pilit na pinag-aaway ang dalawa? (It’s clear, the AFP was merely assisting in a law enforcement operation. The AFP cannot oppose or fight with the police during such operations. Why are we creating conflict between the two?),” Escudero added.

Escudero pointed out that it's not the military's responsibility to intervene or mediate in the situation.

“Ulitin ko, marahil bahagi lamang ito sa constant na apela ng kanilang panig kaugnay sa AFP na kampihan marahil sila o magkaroon ng posisyon o paninindigan sa ilan sa mga isyu na involved sila (Let me repeat, this might just be part of their constant appeal to the AFP to perhaps side with them or take a position on some of the issues they are involved in),” he said.

He added, “Whether it's a police facility, a military facility, or one under the executive branch or Congress, a law enforcement operation remains a law enforcement operation.”

Escudero further noted that the AFP's duty is to follow the chain of command and the Constitution under the leadership of the President—who is the Commander in Chief.

“Hindi dapat mangampi ang AFP kanino man. Dapat tumayo sila sa likod ng chain of command at ng Saligang Batas sa ilalim ng Commander in Chief natin. (The AFP should not take sides with anyone. They should stand behind the chain of command and the Constitution under our Commander in Chief),” he said.

He also emphasized that the military’s role is to stay out of politics and not favor any political group, regardless of their affiliations.

“At sana tigilan na rin yan ng magkabilang panig kaugnay sa panunuyo sa ating Sandatahang Lakas dahil hindi natin gusto na sila ay manghimasok kada nalamang may hindi pagkakaunawaan ang mga pulitiko sa ating bansa. Hindi nila trabaho ang maging referee sa anumang isyu pulitikal sa ating bansa. (And I hope both sides stop trying to win over our Armed Forces, as we do not want them to interfere every time there is a disagreement among politicians in our country. It is not their job to act as a referee in any political issue in our country),” Escudero said.