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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Fracture within AFP? Army colonel relieved after 'withdrawing support' from Marcos

Fracture within AFP? Army colonel relieved after 'withdrawing support' from Marcos

Published Jan 9, 2026 03:25 pm
Philippine Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete (File photo: PA)
Philippine Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete (File photo: PA)
A Philippine Army (PA) officer was stripped of his duties after allegedly posting a statement online where he withdrew personal support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., military officials confirmed on Friday, Jan. 9.
Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, PA commanding general, placed Colonel Audie A. Mongao, commander of the Training Support Group under the PA’s Training Command (Tracom), under “attached/unassigned (AU) status” which means that he is temporarily relieved from his current post and does not have an active assignment while remaining on the payroll.
“By the direction of the Commanding General, PA, Col. Audie Mongao was immediately relieved from post and put into A/U status to give way for a thorough investigation by Training Command, PA,” PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.
Mongao reportedly posted a statement on his social media which was interpreted by some as a withdrawal of support from Marcos.
The post allegedly read: “I, Col. Audie A. Mongao, am withdrawing my personal support to our President and Commander-in-Chief, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr! Enough is enough! The Filipino people are worth fighting for.”
The PA said that Mongao will face administrative charges and may face court martial for violation of Articles of War, Article 96 or Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman, which carries a penalty of dismissal from service upon conviction.
“Other possible violations will still depend on the result of the investigation,” Dema-ala said.
Maj. Gen. Michael G. Logico, commander of PA Tracom, said Mongao has been on a New Year’s break prior to his relief.
“Investigation is underway to determine possible administrative and legal charges that may be imposed upon him in relation to his online statement,” he said.
Nonetheless, Logico said the Tracom was still reaching out to Mongao “so that we may extend to him emotional support.”
“He is still my responsibility. The Philippine Army remains professional and steadfast behind our mandate, loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command,” Logico assured the public.
It has yet to be determined what triggered Mongao to post the alleged withdrawal of support from Marcos.
However, the AFP leadership previously appealed to military personnel nationwide to remain apolitical and focused amid the political noise surrounding the alleged corruption in the government, particularly regarding the flood control anomalies.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner had admitted that retired generals from civic-action group United People’s Initiative (UPI) sought a meeting with him in September last year and urged him to withdraw the military’s support from Marcos, which he declined.
Retired generals support Mongao
Meanwhile, the UPI expressed solidarity with the relieved Mongao.
“We stand in deep respect and full support of Colonel Audie A. Mongao, a soldier of 34 years in active service, who has chosen conscience over convenience, honor over silence, country over power,” UPI convenor Romeo Poquiz, a retired Air Force major general, said in a statement.
Poquiz, himself, was arrested by the police last Jan. 5 for inciting to sedition charges after allegedly urging active AFP officials to withdraw support from Marcos during an anti-corruption protest in September 2025.
The UPI added that Mongao’s defiance was “not rebellion” but “fidelity to the Constitution.”
The group praised Mongao for "reaffirming his loyalty to the Armed Forces and the State" while distancing himself from Marcos.
“Moral ascendancy matters. Leadership is not inherited—it is earned daily. The Armed Forces serve the PEOPLE, not personalities. ‘Sobra na. Tama na.’ (Stop it. Enough already). These are not words of hate. They are the cry of a patriot who has given his life to the Republic,” the UPI said.

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