National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said there is no truth to reports that retired military officers are planning to launch a destabilization plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
While Año acknowledged that there are discussions among retired soldiers about the policies of Marcos, he clarified that this could not be regarded as part of a grander scheme to oust the Commander-in-Chief.
"Yes, there were healthy and passionate exchanges/debates among some retired or former military officers and even some criticism against certain policies of the current administration but they are within the bounds of our democratic space," Año said on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The NSA stated that the talks among retirees are merely part of "freedom of expression" and most likely "academic discussions or politically motivated."
"But there is no destabilization plot/movement against the government. The AFP and the entire security sector are loyal to the commander in chief and will not be influenced to join any destabilization plot against the government," Año stressed.
General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), reportedly discussed the existence of a destabilization plot against Marcos during his talk with troops from the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) on Friday, Nov. 3.
Brawner was at Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City for the change of command and chief of office ceremony of the WestMinCom and Inspector General (IG) when he urged the soldiers to refrain from engaging in any destabilization plot and focus on fulfilling their sworn duty to defend the nation and serve the people.
However, Año said Brawner may have only been "misquoted or misinterpreted" by the media.
AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar also confirmed that the military has not monitored any credible security threat at present.