CEBU CITY – There are no unusual resignations within the Armed Forces Visayas Command (Viscom).
Lt. Col. Israel Galorio, Viscom spokesperson, issued the clarification to refute online posts that some soldiers have resigned following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity.
Galorio said Viscom has not received reports from its subordinate units about resignations over Duterte’s arest.
He emphasized that Viscom, as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, remains to be a professional and non-partisan organization committed to its constitutional mandate.
"We uphold the rule of law and adhere to the chain of command. Our personnel remain focused on our sworn duty of ensuring the safety and security of our people here in the Visayas region,” said Galorio.
At the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Police Lt. Col. Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay said there were also no unusual resignations within their ranks.
Macatangay, CCPO deputy city director for operations, also said there were no reports of personnel who are planning to resign.
She assured that all CCPO personnel are committed to their sworn duty.
Meanwhile, Macatangay said the heightened alert status enforced in this city when Duterte was arrested has been lifted.
"This is in line with the recent development that our former President has been flown to the Hague already,” said Macatangay.
While the alert status is back to normal, the CCPO will continue to closely monitor the situation as pro or anti-Duterte groups may hold gatherings in the coming days.