The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) asserted Tuesday, Sept. 30, that it remains intact, professional, and loyal to the Constitution despite conflicting statements from top government officials on the state of the national government.

“For us, we do not speak for the entire government. But as for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, your Armed Forces remains solid. We are a solid and disciplined organization, and we remain professional through all of this. Our loyalty remains to the Constitution and to the flag,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.

In an attempt to make sense of the AFP’s situation amid the political noise, she likened the military's stance to a guard on a watchtower.

“This is just like being a guard on a watchtower while those below are preoccupied with rumors and conflict. We stand firm, looking ahead. We are preparing for territorial defense, we are alert and ready even for humanitarian assistance and disaster response. We are not affected by any noise,” she noted.

The AFP made the remark after Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that the government is now unstable amid “abuses” in government institutions.

Speaking on behalf of President Marcos Jr., Palace press officer Claire Castro refuted such a claim, saying the administration remains strong and “obstructionists” are the ones destroying the country.

Since Marcos dropped the bombshell on allegations of corruption in flood control projects worth billions to trillions of pesos, the Senate and other institutions have initiated investigations that revealed a web of collusion involving contractors, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and politicians.

But Padilla maintained that the AFP remains neutral despite the political disagreements since the military’s unity is meant to ensure national security.

She also said there is no truth to allegations that some active and retired military officers are planning to destabilize the government.

“Clearly, there is no truth to rumors about these so-called movements with claims of alleged [destabilization] plots,” Padilla stated. “This is part of disinformation campaigns. We will not allow these to succeed because what we want is to prevent the sowing of disorder and doubt among our people.”

As this developed, a private and non-partisan organization composed of retired uniformed personnel rejected calls for armed action despite the sentiments aired by some ex-officers on social media.

Retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), said retired military officers remain bound by their oath to the Constitution despite being free to express individual opinions outside military law.

He emphasized that those calling for actions bordering on defying or violating the Constitution do not represent the majority of retired officers, including the AGFO, which is composed of more than a thousand members.

“We are no longer strictly bound by military law so they [retired officers] can speak freely. These are our views as individuals, our opinions, and we respect them. However, we also have an obligation as retired officers to look back on the institution we once served and our former oath of office, which requires us to follow the Constitution and the lawful orders of our superiors,” he said.

Several former military officers but non-AGFO members joined the September 21 anti-corruption protest and called on active military officers to take up arms as a last resort if all branches of government fail.

Adan said that since the non-AGFO members are not bound by the AGFO oath, they are not subject to internal proceedings but remain accountable under national law.

On whether the ex-officers’ actions amount to inciting to sedition, Adan said it is up to legal experts and authorities to determine if they crossed the line.

“Our oath of office is to defend the Republic of the Philippines, uphold the Constitution, and support the welfare of Armed Forces personnel,” he stressed.