The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) urged the public on Saturday, Nov. 23, to remain calm after Vice President Sara Duterte appeared to have threatened the life of the military's Commander-in-Chief, President Marcos Jr.
AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. maintained that the troops are loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command, and the military is a professional organization focused on its mandate to protect the people and the state.
"We call for calm and resolve, and for everyone to hold on to our values of respect and nationalism that will guide us in these trying times. We reiterate our need to stand together against those who will try to break our bonds as Filipinos," Brawner said in a statement shortly after the Vice President made public her supposed plan to assassinate Marcos, once a political ally, now turned fierce rival.
According to the military chief, the country is facing "greater challenges" which "require the strength of a united country and armed forces."
"As a cornerstone of national stability, the AFP shall remain non-partisan, with utmost respect for our democratic institutions and civilian authority," Brawner said.
Duterte shocked the nation when she claimed that she hired someone to kill Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Prior to this, Duterte camped out at the House of Representatives in Quezon City to accompany her chief of staff, Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, who has been detained at Batasang Pambansa.
Lawmakers from the Lower Chamber are investigating the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education's (DepEd) alleged misuse of funds when Duterte was heading them.
Lopez attended one of the congressional hearings and was cited in contempt by the lawmakers. She was suppposed to be transferred to the Women's Correctional Facility in Mandaluyong City. This did not materialize as Duterte had intervened and brought Lopez to Veteran's Memorial Medical Center after allegedly falling ill, and later transferred to St. Luke's Medical Center.
In a press conference, Duterte accused Romualdez of trying to kill her.
"'Wag kang mag-alala sa security ko kasi may kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya na kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM (Bongbong Marcos), si Liza Araneta at si Martin Romualdez (Don't worry about my security because I've already talked to someone. I told him that if I get assassinated, kill BBM, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez)," Duterte was quoted as saying in media reports.
Malacañang described Duterte's remarks as "active threats", which necessitate an "immediate proper action" from the Presidential Security Command.