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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace: Marcos' boosted troop support unrelated to ouster chatter

Palace: Marcos' boosted troop support unrelated to ouster chatter

Published Dec 5, 2025 12:14 pm
PCO photo
PCO photo
Malacañang has rejected suggestions that President Marcos’ recent camp visits and military benefit announcements were linked to public calls for the Armed Forces to withdraw support from the administration, insisting these engagements are his duty as Commander-in-Chief and not a reaction to political noise.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President’s trips to military camps — the latest to Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) in Davao City — should not be framed as political signaling but as part of routine oversight and recognition of uniformed personnel.
“Hanggang may oras po ang Pangulo, hindi po ito dapat kinukuwestiyon. Ang pagbisita sa ating mga kasundaluhan… ay nararapat lamang po bilang Commander-in-Chief (As long as the President has the time, this should not be questioned. Visiting our troops is proper as Commander-in-Chief),” she said Friday, Dec. 5.
“So wala po itong kinalaman kung mayroon mang isyu ngayon. Obligasyon po ng Pangulo na bisitahin sila (This has nothing to do with current issues. It is the President’s obligation to visit them),” she added.
Castro said Marcos’ visit to Eastmincom included a full briefing on peace and order, ongoing operations against remaining threats, maritime patrols, and disaster response capabilities.
Officials also reported to Marcos the internal and external security situation, including progress in counter-insurgency efforts.
Pay hike timing not political
Castro also dismissed criticisms from labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno, which questioned the timing of the administration’s decision to increase the base pay of all military and uniformed personnel (MUPs) beginning January 2026.
“Ang pagkilala po sa mga kasundaluhan… hindi po ito nababatay kung ano po ang nangyayaring ingay ngayon (Recognition of our soldiers is not based on current political noise),” she said, adding that the benefits are tied to the risks troops face daily.
“Karapatan po nila at dapat lamang pong kilalanin ang kanilang pagiging bayani ng ating bayan (It is their right, and they deserve to be recognized as heroes),” she added.
Castro said the President’s support for MUPs — including a tranching increase in base pay and a higher subsistence allowance starting next year — reflects a broader policy direction, not political pressure.
“Hindi po ito magpapatigil sa Pangulo para bigyan ng tulong ang ating mga kasundaluhan (This will not stop the President from helping our troops),” she said.
She added that Marcos remains firm in ensuring welfare, security, and decent living conditions for uniformed personnel, emphasizing that their sacrifices require consistent government backing.

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President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Claire Castro Talk to troops
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