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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider AFP Chief sees no threats 'within' the military ahead of June 12 rites

AFP Chief sees no threats 'within' the military ahead of June 12 rites

General Romeo Brawner Jr. rejects calls for the military to intervene in political issues

Published Jun 9, 2026 05:50 pm

At A Glance

  • AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military is closely monitoring reports of possible threats linked to planned protests and claims circulating on social media that groups supporting Vice President Duterte are supposedly planning to occupy Malacañang on June 12.
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
AFP Chief of Staff, General Romeo Brawner Jr. graces the 63rd founding anniversary of the Philippine Army Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) SFR(A) at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Nueva Ecija on June 28, 2025. (Photo: AFP)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it has not monitored any threat from within its ranks despite reports of possible destabilization efforts and mounting calls for the military to take a stand on political issues ahead of the country’s celebration of Independence Day.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military is closely monitoring reports of possible threats linked to planned protests and claims circulating on social media that groups supporting Vice President Duterte are supposedly planning to occupy Malacañang on June 12.
“We heard about these reports. We also heard some social media postings and reports, so we are looking into all of this because we take these kinds of threats or reports seriously,” Brawner told reporters on Monday night, June 8.
Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Malacañang said there was no validated intelligence information supporting the claim about the supposed attack.
When asked if there were indications that members of the AFP could be drawn into the political tensions, Brawner said internal monitoring is continuously being conducted.
“Continuous monitoring is being carried out within the AFP and so far, we do not see any threats coming from within the AFP,” he said.
“I truly believe that our soldiers are disciplined and very professional. So from the commanders on the ground, they do not see any threat from inside,” the AFP Chief added.
Relatedly, Davao City First District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte has urged members of the military to “stand for truth and justice” amid issues on corruption in the government and the political chaos in the Senate, which even led to the postponement of the confirmation of five military generals assigned to newly created units in the AFP due to delays in the Commission on Appointments (CA) hearing.
In a social media post on his official Facebook page, the son of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte issued an open message directed at members of the military amid his criticism of recent political developments.
“To all members of our armed forces, is what you are seeing now still correct? Or do you need glasses to see more clearly what is going on in our government? Or is the light from the suitcases so bright that it is making others close their eyes?” he asked.
“The country is watching. History is watching. And humanity is waiting for who will really stand up for truth and justice,” he added.
But Brawner maintained that the military would stay out of politics even as it watches developments in government.
“Of course, we see what is happening in our country. We are not blind or deaf, but it is not our mandate to interfere in politics—that is not our mandate,” he said.
“We are watching, continuing our work, defending our country,” he added.

Related Tags

AFP politics June 12 Senate Romeo Brawner Jr.
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