ARMED Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr yesterday rejected the call of Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez for the military to withdraw its support from its commander-in-chief, President Marcos Jr.
“This is not the first time that they made such call, that we pull out (withdraw) our support from the President,” Brawner told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Manila organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.
“But our answer is always the same: That the AFP remains to be professional organization. Our mandate is very clear. We will protect the Constitution and we will follow the duly-constituted authorities,” said Brawner.
Alvarez, former House speaker, is an ally of former President Duterte who has recently been criticizing Marcos. In January, Duterte asked the Armed Forces to intervene and oppose government plans to amend the Constitution, which he said is divisive.
Alvarez last Sunday urged the AFP to withdraw support from Marcos amid the rising tension between the Philippines and China in connection with the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea. If the military withdraws support, Marcos will be forced to step down as president, he said a rally in Tagum City, which was organized by supporters of the pro-China Duterte.
Brawner said the military will follow the chain of command. The President is on top of the military’s chain of command, he being the AFP’s commander-in-chief.
“In other words, we will follow the chain of command and the President is our commander in chief. Whoever the President is, it’s very clear that we will follow the chain of command. We will follow the orders of our commander-in-chief who is also our President and that is clear to all soldiers,” he said.
Earlier yesterday, Brawner graced the 6th foundation anniversary of the AFP Special Operations Command at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
In his address, Brawner reminded the elite unit “to be loyal to the Constitution and to follow the duly-constituted authorities.”
On Alvarez claim that Philippines is causing the tension in the West Philippine Sea, Brawner said, “No, no, definitely we are not the ones causing tension in the West Philippine Sea. It’s the other way around,” he said.
Hours earlier, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said reiterated the military’s “unwavering commitment to professionalism, loyalty to the Constitution and strict adherence to the chain of command.”
“Our soldiers, pilots, sailors and marines remain dedicated to our mandate of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines, regardless of any political affiliations or individuals in authority,” said Padilla.
Padilla said the military is mandated to protect the people, uphold the rule of law and ensure peace and order will prevail throughout the country.
“We will continue to fulfil these responsibilities with integrity, impartiality, and utmost dedication,” said Padilla.
SEDITION
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the PNP’s legal officers and other concerned units is determining if Alvarez’ call is seditious or not.
She also said the PNP remains loyal to the Constitution. “Spare the uniformed personnel from such political discussions,” she said.
“There is no basis for us to withdraw support from the duly-constituted authorities,” she added.
The Department of Justice said it is looking into Alvarez’ call.
“We must first see the full context of the statement to see if it indeed rises to the level of sedition,” said DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano.
Administration lawmakers said Alvarez has committed an act of sedition for urging the AFP to withdraw support from the President.
“The remarks of the former speaker are uncalled for. That is tantamount to an act of sedition or rebellion,” said Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.
Pimentel said Alvarez “is stoking the fires of divisiveness at a time when the country needs economic gains in order to address the problems of the nation.”
Alvarez made his call for the military to withdraw support from Marcos to prevent the escalation of the tension in the West Philippine Sea even if it is China that is encroaching in Philippine territory and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Duterte is in hot water after it was revealed that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a “gentleman’s agreement” that the Philippines will refrain from repairing the grounded BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
The former President is being accused of compromising the integrity of the Philippines’ assertion of its rights and sovereignty in the WPS in the face of Chinas incursions.
Pimentel said Alvarez is sowing disunity when the government is trying to promote the country to be an investment haven.
“Instead, we should all unite and give our support to President Bongbong Marcos Jr. with his effort for economic reforms,” he said.
Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo urged the Department of Justice to investigate Alvarez for what he called his “seditious statement” and file charges.
“The response to the seditious statement should be the immediate filing of a criminal case so that the move to incite people, including the military, to rebel against the government will be nipped in the bud,” Romualdo said.
He said the crime of sedition includes a person’s conduct, remarks or speech inciting the public to move against the state or duly-constituted or elected authority.
“Clearly, what former Speaker Alvarez remarked during a rally in Tagum City falls within the purview of sedition,” he said.
ETHICS CASE
Lanao del Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo warned Alvarez that he may be investigated by the House committee on ethics because his statement seem to constitute conduct unbecoming a member of the House.
“I would kindly urge the former speaker to be cautious with his words and clear on his intent. At face value, his anti-government statements are unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives and may warrant an ethics case against him,” Dimaporo said.
Asked whether the Department of Justice can indict Alvarez on charges of sedition, Dimaporo said the country should not give much importance to the former speaker.
“As for the DOJ, it should be decided on by the Executive. But I don’t feel he should be given importance. Our country has other more pressing matters for the DOJ to attend to than the grumblings of a politician,” he said. — With Wendell Vigilia and Ashzel Hachero
