A coalition of about 500 retired police officials, soldiers, and coastguards have issued a statement, backing the candidacy of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
“Kaming mga retiradong sundalo, pulis at bantay dagat na naghain ng aming talino at kung kakailanganin ang aming buhay bilang sergeant majors, police executive senior police officers, master CPO (Chief Petty Officer) of the Coast Guard at senior non-commissioned officers, tungo sa katahimikan, kaligtasan at kaunlaran ng ating bansang Pilipinas ay buong pusong sumusuporta sa kandidatura ni Senador Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos na tumatakbo sa bilang presidente sa halalan sa May 9, 2022 (We retired soldiers, police, and coastguards who have offered our skills and our lives as sergeant majors, police executive senior officers, MCPOs of the Coast Guard, and senior non-commissioned officers, all for the sake of peace and development of the country declare our endorsement for Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos who is running for president in the May 9, 2022 elections),” the coalition’s statement read.
The coalition’s statement was sent to the press on Wednesday, April 6 though it was originally signed last March 19 during an Arms Corporation of the Philippines (ARMSCOR) meeting in Marikina City.
They reason that they align with Marcos’ flagship platform of “unity” and that Marcos is the candidate that Filipinos need.
“Malakas ang aming paniwala na si Bongbong Marcos (BBM) ang Pangulong kailangan ng bawat Pilipino (We strongly believe that marcos is the president that Filipinos need),” the coalition’s statement continued.
This 500-strong coalition is the latest group of former law enforcement and military entities to declare support for Marcos.
Previously, another group of retired senior military and police officers declared support for Marcos and running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.