AFP reiterates no military junta in agency

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday maintained that there is no military junta within the organization and that it will not participate in any such attempt. AFP spokesperson Col. Margareth Padilla reiterated the clarification, which the agency has addressed repeatedly since the issue surfaced.

“Our AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. has already clarified this multiple times, that there is no such thing as a military junta within the AFP,” Padilla said in a press conference.

On Sunday, Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson Jr. said he received an offer from retired military personnel to join a “civil-military junta” intended to remove President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte from office. Lacson said he ignored the offer.

“There are a lot of people with wild ideas, because when a crisis like this happens and wrongdoings are prevalent, sometimes you can’t [stop] some people from thinking a lot of things. I guess, it’s in their passion to change the system since corruption has become systemic. That’s where they are coming from,” Lacson said.

Padilla noted that the individuals involved in the supposed “junta” are retired officials. She said other agencies should look into the matter, but the AFP will act if its role is required.

“This is through their democratic processes. What we are looking at is the national security implications of it. But the AFP will still cooperate for its role,” she said.

“In AFP, there is no room in the republic for extra constitutional shortcuts whatsoever. It’s not like a video game that we can restart. So I would go back to that premise that there is no restart plot within the AFP,” she emphasized.

Meanwhile, amid widespread public anger over corruption issues in the country, the AFP is preparing for the expected turnout at the “Trillion Peso March” on 30 November, similar to the preparations undertaken by the Philippine National Police (PNP). The AFP encouraged rally organizers to ensure a peaceful demonstration.

“We are asking rally organizers to police their ranks because public safety is a shared responsibility. The peace and order of any gathering on their clear and responsible leadership,” Padilla said.

“We call on our rally organizers to police your ranks and ensure that participants remain disciplined and non-violent. Our goal is a simple peaceful gathering where our voices can be heard without putting anyone at risk,” she added.