AFP suspects EDSA rally may be foreign-funded

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday that the protest by the United People’s Initiative (UPI) may be foreign funded.

Acting AFP spokesperson Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said they are checking all possible leads regarding the funding of the UPI rally over the weekend.

“We are checking all possible leads especially when it comes to funding, if these were done by domestic or maybe, even—for all we know—foreign groups,” Trinidad said.

The spokesperson emphasized that the AFP is working to ensure that domestic concerns remain domestic and free from foreign influence.

Meanwhile, retired Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz, founder and lead convenor of UPI, denied the allegation, stating in a Facebook post that they “can’t even feed everyone who attended the rally.”

Among UPI’s calls were for President Marcos Jr. to step down amid controversies surrounding alleged corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects.

UPI organizers also denied any destabilization efforts in their rally. However, during the event on Sunday, Sunshine Media Network International host Jeffrey Celiz urged supporters to withdraw their support from the Chief Executive, citing the military withdrawal during the time of former President Joseph Estrada in 2001 during Edsa People Power 2.

Following the remark, the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety did not allow the UPI’s planned protest on Tuesday.

Trinidad also said the AFP remains united, describing the military’s solidarity as a sign of a stronger country. He added that neighboring states—citing China—would prefer to see the Philippines divided.

“We have seen a lot of infiltration in our society. We don’t have to look far. Part of their rule book is to make us fight among ourselves, to infiltrate Philippine society and to destroy us from within,” Trinidad said.