Manila: The Philippine military has dismissed claims of restiveness among its ranks, saying it continues to support the constitutionally mandated administration and supports the government of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) categorically denies the recent statement issued by a group that pretends to be representative of the men and women of the AFP and the Philippine National Police and called themselves the Patriotic and Democratic Movement (PADEM),” miliitary spokesman Brig Gen Restituto Padilla said in a statement on Tuesday.
PADEM claims there is growing discontent in the ranks of the armed services and had called on Duterte to step down from power “for betraying public interest.”
“We call on our fellow officers and members of the AFP and the PNP [Philippine National Police] to join the people in demanding the resignation or ouster of Duterte and his administration,” a statement issued on Sunday by one Antonio Bonifacio, who claims to be the group’s spokesperson said.
It called on Duterte to account for his crimes against the people which includes treating the police and military like his own “private army” and corrupting these institutions by offering monetary rewards for killing illegal drug users and suspected members of the communist New Peoples’ Army.
But Padilla said the military and police remain solidly behind Duterte, who won in elections last May 2016 by a wide margin of votes.
“The accusations and issues cited by the group are unfounded and uncalled for. Such issues are clearly politically motivated and a matter that the AFP does not and will not subscribe to,” it said.
Padilla said the group apparently wants to sow discord among the armed services by taking advantage of recent developments, which cast the police and Duterte in bad light.
The Duterte administration has been reeling from allegations surrounding the conduct of its campaign against drugs and criminality.
Just last week, 32 drug suspects were killed in the province of Bulacan alone while in Metro Manila’s suburb of Caloocan City, the alleged execution of 17-year-old student Kian Loyd delos Santos by policemen, drew massive condemnation.
Padilla said PADEM was trying to hitch a ride on public sentiment for its own political purposes.
“Current developments and issues that this group wishes to take advantage of is now being addressed by the Department of Justice and parties to a possible crime are now under detention,” it said while referring to three police officers who were taken into custody by authorities in connection with the killing.
Padilla added that citizens should respect these processes and not allow themselves to be used by individuals or groups with vested interests.
“We appeal for sobriety, reason and patience as we await the results of these processes. We are the constitutionally mandated protectors of the people and will stand by our law abiding citizens whenever and wherever we are needed,” he said.
In the same manner, Padilla said that the AFP will not hesitate in acting against forces who shall undermine the stability and security of the country and those who wish to destabilize it thru unconstitutional means.
“The AFP appeals to the public and the various political groups to respect the apolitical stance of the AFP and help bring unity and healing instead of fomenting divisiveness and collapse,” he said.
