Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida on Wednesday, November 27 said there are no grumblings within the AFP despite the ongoing feud between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
Larida made this assurance during the Commission on Appointments (CA) committee on national defense hearing on his promotion.
The AFP official was responding to Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada’s question.
"Are there any grumbling(s) sa (in the) military ngayon because of the recent events?" Estrada asked.
Larida responded, "Hundred percent none, sir."
“Okay, very good. You have to be loyal to the Constitution, correct?” Estrada further asked.
To which Larida assured: “Yes, sir!”
Earlier, the vice president’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, dared the military to protect the Constitution amid a supposed “fractured governance in the Philippines.”
The former leader also asked the military if it would continue to support Marcos if it knew he was a “drug addict.”
“Hanggang kailan kayo mag suporta ng ‘drug addict’ na presidente (Until when are you going to support a president who is a drug addict)?” Duterte asked.
“I challenge the whole military because they're supposed to be the protector of the constitution,” he added.
Malacañang regarded Duterte’s call a big insult to the AFP.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin warned that any attempt to seize power by violent means, including assassination, chaos, and rebellion, is unacceptable.
“Wait for the right time and follow the right process of our democracy,” Bersamin said.