The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, March 17, rejected social media rumors that a so‑called “third force” is planning to overthrow the government and seize power from the administration of President Marcos Jr.

DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. challenged those spreading the rumors to file a formal complaint if they have evidence of the supposed coup d’etat.

“As responsible citizens, why don’t they execute the proper affidavit and file it with the law enforcement and prosecutorial officials so it can be investigated properly?” the defense chief said when asked about the rumored coup.

As for the military, the AFP said it “does not dignify unvalidated social media posts,” and added that the uniformed service remains focused on its constitutional mission to protect the country and the people.

“At a time when our nation must remain united in addressing the possible effects of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, we call on all Filipinos to exercise sobriety, reject disinformation, and refrain from spreading unverified claims that may cause confusion and division,” the AFP said in a statement.

It reiterated that the AFP “is a professional organization that upholds the Constitution, respects the chain of command, and remains steadfast in its duty to defend Philippine sovereignty, protect the people, and uphold the rule of law.”

Earlier, retired Philippine Air Force (PAF) general Romeo Poquiz, who had been arrested in January for reportedly urging the military to abandon the Marcos administration, wrote on his Facebook account that a so-called “third force” is plotting a “Kudeta Me” plot, a takeover of the government through a civil-military junta.

Poquiz, the convenor of United People’s Initiative (UPI), a group of former military officers criticizing the government amid allegations of corruption, quickly distanced his group from the alleged coup plot.

“Allegedly, bombings or assassinations may be staged and later blamed on the opposition or on groups exposing massive corruption to justify such an unconstitutional takeover,” he claimed.

This is not the first time the DND and AFP have been forced to address rumors of coup plotting. In recent months, unfounded social media posts have circulated claiming unrest within military ranks.

The DND and AFP have repeatedly urged critics and claimants to bring any credible evidence to authorities.

Over the weekend, the Palace has beefed up security at the Malacañan as razor wires were installed while police personnel were deployed to guard the areas leading to the compound. 

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified that the heightened security at the Malacañan was part of a routine security exercise to test the operational readiness of personnel.