ARMED Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. over the weekend insinuated about attempts to destabilize the Marcos administration and the military establishment as the 2025 mid-term elections draw near.
Brawner did not give details but told soldiers and civilian employees during last Saturday’s celebration of the 18th foundation anniversary of the AFP Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in Zamboanga City to “always remain loyal to the chain of command and to our Constitution.”
President Marcos Jr. is on top of the military’s chain of command, being the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.
“As we come closer to the filing of candidacy for next year’s election, this October will be the filing of candidacy, we already feel the tension of the political scene,” Brawner said during his address.
“And we see a lot of efforts to also destabilize not just the government, but the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he added without elaborating.
“This is my only appeal to everyone: Let us not allow ourselves to be affected by the political bickering. Let us remain professionals, let us remain loyal to our Constitution and to the Filipino people,” he said.
The filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 12, 2025 national and local elections will be from October 1 to 8. The election period will be from January 12 to June 11.
Brawner said Westmincom has made “tremendous strides in reducing lawlessness and addressing the roots of insurgency” in western Mindanao.
“However, a big challenge lies in front of us, and I am referring to the 2025 midterm elections,” he said, adding that the military has started its preparations to help ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of next year’s polls.
Brawner said he has already given instructions to AFP deputy chief of staff for operations Brig. Gen. Jimmy Larida “to collaborate with both the Eastern Mindanao Command and the Western Mindanao Command to look into your boundaries.”
He also said the military may re-deploy some of its troops “to deal with the challenge that is coming our way.”
“As early as now, I am encouraging our Western Mindanao Command and our subordinate units under Westmincom to start planning and preparing already for the 2025 midterm elections,” he said.
