There is no need for a loyalty check among the troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as they remain committed to their duty to protect the Filipino people and secure the nation despite reports of a destabilization plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar underscored this on Sunday, Nov. 5, as the military investigates the reported efforts by retired military officers to recruit active personnel into joining a scheme to oust the Commander-in-Chief.
"Hindi po 'yun kinakailangan sa panahon ngayon (It [loyalty check] is not needed during these times)," Aguilar said in a radio interview with dzBB.
He stressed that the reported plot "is non-existent."
Aguilar said that he was not sure whether the reports about the planned destabilization have already reached Marcos Jr.
"Wala po akong personal knowledge kung naiparating na ito but I think alam na po ito ng Pangulo at alam na rin na po ng Pangulo kung ano po ang sitwasyon (I have no personal knowledge if this was already relayed to the President but I think the President already knows this and the President knows the situation), and he is confident that there is no such thing as a destab plot," he said.
According to Aguilar, AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. has constantly reminded the troops to be faithful to their constitutional duties and avoid activities "which may upset the stability of the country."
The military spokesperson, however, confirmed that there were "sentiments" from outside the organization urging active personnel to go up against the current administration.
"He was referring to the September 21 event at nakita niyo naman wala pong nangyari (and you saw that nothing materialized that time)," Aguilar said, referring to the anniversary of the declaration of martial law by Marcos Jr.'s father, the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
"Para bang gusto na ring hikayatin 'yung ating mga sundalo na sumama sa mga pagkilos na tulad ng mga protest rally, mga ganoon, na hindi po namin pinapayagan kasi po ito po ay labas na sa mandato ng isang sundalo (It's as if they are encouraging our soldiers to join mobilizations like protest rally and things like that, which we do not allow since it is already not part of the mandate of a soldier)," Aguilar stated.
"These are reported activities and therefore will be subject for validation and verification. We hope to have this investigated thoroughly para naman magkaroon po ng kapanatagan ang ating mga kababayan (so that the public will be at ease)," he added.
What's the motive?
Part of the investigation is to determine whether the reported destabilization was also fueled by discontent among the troops due to the proposed reforms to their pension system.
The Department of Finance (DOF) previously urged Marcos to implement reforms in the current “fiscally unsustainable” military and uniformed personnel (MUP) pension system to prevent a “potential fiscal crisis.” Among the proposed changes is the mandatory contribution required for active personnel and new entrants similar to Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pensioners.
"Even this military uniform pension is already being tackled by the Congress, by the legislators, and even the fixed term. All of these are being addressed or already addressed by them. If we are talking about this, I think this is already settled," Aguilar said.
He reiterated that the AFP has not monitored any credible security threat at present.
According to earlier reports, Brawner had reminded the troops to refrain from joining destabilization efforts allegedly being developed by some retired military personnel who want to oust Marcos Jr.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año previously denied there was a destabilization plot against the Commander-in-Chief.