AFP retirees making seditious rants face losing pension

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Saturday that it is considering stripping the monthly pensions of retired military personnel found to be spreading fake news or making seditious statements.

The statement was made during a forum following information that some retired officials are allegedly spreading misinformation and inciting rebellion against the current administration.

According to Philippine Navy Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the highest-ranking official they are monitoring is a retired two-star general who receives a monthly pension amounting to P160,000.

“When you receive a pension from the government, it follows that you must be responsible for what you receive, so this is included in the study of AFP legal officers,” Trinidad said in Filipino.

Trinidad emphasized that the spread of misinformation corrupts the mind of a soldier and that a military revolt is not the answer to changing the system.

“The problem now is even with retirees, they are trying to change the truth. They will spread fake news to confuse the minds of the military. If the problem is corruption, the answer to that is tightened project management, not a military revolt,” Trinidad said.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla explained that their legal team is studying what actions may be taken against the alleged retirees amid reports that they called on the military to withdraw support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

She noted that although the retired officials are now considered civilians, their pensions might still come into play.

“They are in the civilian category, but we said that since they are receiving a pension, we will study how this will fall into play,” Padilla said.

“If the legal channel determines that this is so, then we will follow,” she added.