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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP chief directs Davao-based soldiers: Be wary vs infiltrating 'enemies'; remain united

AFP chief directs Davao-based soldiers: Be wary vs infiltrating 'enemies'; remain united

Published Feb 4, 2024 05:35 am

At A Glance

  • AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. directed the soldiers based in Davao region to "remain united" and stay vigilant against enemies trying to "infiltrate various sectors of society" to challenge their unity. 
  • Brawner rallied the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) and Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) troops to support the administration "amid recent political developments" in the region.
  • The AFP has recently been dragged into the mud amid a heated verbal spat between former president Rodrigo Duterte and his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
  •  
Brawner.jpg
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. delivers a speech at Camp Gen. Manuel Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao de Oro on Feb. 3, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. directed the soldiers based in Davao region to "remain united" and stay vigilant against enemies trying to "infiltrate various sectors of society" to challenge their unity.

Brawner visited the headquarters of the 10th Infantry Division (10ID) at Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao De Oro and Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) in Panacan, Davao City on Saturday, Feb. 3, to rally the troops to support the administration "amid recent political developments" in the region.

In his message to the troops, the AFP chief said that he is confident in the loyalty and professionalism of every member of the AFP.

"I am not worried because I know that the new breed of soldiers are professionals. Let us remain united and loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command," Brawner said.

"Focus lang tayo sa trabaho natin. Isa lang ang ating Pilipinas, isa lang ang ating bansa (Let us stay focused on our job. We only have one Philippines, we only have one country). Let us be proud of our heritage, let’s be proud of who we are as a people. Pilipino tayong lahat kaya mahalin natin ang ating bansa (We are all Filipinos so we should love our country)," he added.

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Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. delivers a speech before the personnel of 10th Infantry Division at Camp Gen. Manuel Yan Sr. in Mawab, Davao de Oro on Feb. 3, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

The AFP has recently been dragged into the mud amid a heated verbal spat between former president Rodrigo Duterte and his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In a prayer rally in Davao City last week, Duterte had urged the military to withdraw their support for Marcos amid calls for a charter change through the people's initiative supposedly marred by signature-buying.

The former president also floated the idea of separating Mindanao from the rest of the Philippines as he expressed disappointment with Marcos' leadership.

Rumors of destabilization against Marcos also circulated last month after several retired military generals expressed dissatisfaction with the Chief Executive and aired their grievances on social media.

The AFP brushed off talks that some retired generals were encouraging those in the active service to join a supposed coup plot.

Nonetheless, the AFP has insisted that the troops shall remain non-partisan and professional as they won't engage in any political discourse while maintaining their loyalty to the Constitution. It also assured that there was no division within the ranks and loyalty check among the troops was not needed.

"I hope that you will continue the good works that you are doing. Ituloy lang natin 'yung pagiging professional natin at ang pagiging isang Armed Forces of the Philippines (Let us continue to be professional and be a united Armed Forces of the Philippines),” Brawner told the 10th ID and EastMinCom troops.

Meanwhile, Brawner also assessed the status of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations and peace and security campaigns in Southeastern Mindanao after it was battered by heavy rains due to the trough of a low pressure area (LPA) that caused widespread flooding and landslides.

"Nakita ko ang ginagawa ninyo para matulungan ang ating mga kababayan (I have witnessed how you helped our countrymen) and I congratulate and thank all of you for doing all that and for showing the heart of the Filipino soldier in the face of these calamities," he said.

The 10ID HADR units and personnel including 10ID's four infantry brigades, the Emergency Response Company, the Installation and Management Battalion, and the Service Support Battalion have been assisting in the evacuation efforts, clearing operations, and rescue of stranded individuals amid the bad weather.

Related Tags

Armed Forces of the Philippines non-partisan Ferdinand Marcos Jr AFP General Romeo Brawner Jr. PBBM Rodrigo Duterte
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