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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Rodriguez corrects Alvarez, says withdrawal of AFP support from PBBM can't be 'peaceful'

Rodriguez corrects Alvarez, says withdrawal of AFP support from PBBM can't be 'peaceful'

Published Apr 16, 2024 02:29 pm

At A Glance

  • There's no such thing as a "peaceful and orderly" way for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw its support from the sitting president, said Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

20240416_221303.jpgDavao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (left), Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Facebook)



There's no such thing as a "peaceful and orderly" way for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw its support from the sitting president.

Thus, said Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez--a legal luminary in the House of Representatives--in relation to recent controversial statements made by his fellow Mindanaoan, Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez.

"There is no such thing [as a peaceful and orderly withdrawal of support]," said the lawyer-legislator on Tuesday, April 16.

Rodriguez said that issuing such an appeal to the armed forces would inevitably create discord.

"Because when you ask for a withdrawal of support, then there would be a conflict. Because those who will heed this advice and withdraw support, the others who are supporting the President would have to come in also and enforce the law, you see," he explained.

On Sunday, April 14, during a peace rally in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Alvarez appealed to the AFP to turn its back on President Marcos. This, as the former House Speaker expressed frustration over how Marcos has handled the situation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) where there is rising tension between Manila and Beijing.

These remarks have led some pro-administration solons to call for the filing of sedition charges against Alvarez.

But Alvarez said earlier Tuesday that his statements can't be considered seditious since he called for a "peaceful and orderly" action, and not a public uprising that was illegal in nature.

“Paano naging seditious o disorderly conduct yung sinabi ko, eh peaceful nga at orderly (How did my remarks become seditious or constitute disorderly conduct, when everything was peaceful and orderly)," he said.

The Cagayan de Oro said the ex-Speaker’s remarks were "uncalled for, especially from an elected official in the House of Representatives to be calling for withdrawal of support:".

"That is really rebellion. That is really seditious," said Rodriguez, chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

At any rate, he said that the DOJ should evaluate what Alvarez said at the rally regarding the criminal case of sedition.

Related Tags

Pantaleon Alvarez AFP Rufus Rodriguez
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