THE National Security Council (NSC) yesterday vowed to crush any destabilization attempt against the administration of President Marcos Jr.
NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya made the remarks days after Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr revealed efforts to destabilize the Marcos government.
Malaya, echoing the military, said Brawner was taken out of context in reports that quoted him as saying there is a destabilization plot against the government.
“Based on our monitoring in the security sector, from the PNP and Armed Forces, it’s clear there is no such destabilization plot,” he said.
Malaya said a “destabilization plot” means there is already a plan to take up arms. He added talks of destabilization are coming merely from retired military officers.
“These are merely discussions. There are no active personnel of the AFP who are involved here. You know, there are always different opinions about how government is run,” he said.
“That is what we are monitoring. But insofar as destabilization plot is concerned, there is no such thing,” added Malaya.
Soldiers have been involved in attempts to oust presidents, the last of which was during administration the administration of Gloria Arroyo.
“The Armed Forces is loyal to the administration (of President Marcos). And if there is such a destabilization plot, the National Security Council is guaranteeing it will not succeed,” said Malaya.
The NSC consists of two distinct bodies, including the Council Proper which is chaired by President Marcos Jr who the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.
The other is the NSC Secretariat which provides technical support to the Council Proper. It is headed by NSC Director General and concurrent National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.
Brawner, during a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, declined to give details on the destabilization efforts. He said he wants the issue to be put to rest.
In a statement on Sunday, the Davao City-based AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) said it stands united “in preventing any destabilization plot against the current administration.”
“We have not monitored any persuasion moves within our ranks or any unauthorized movement in our joint operational area,” Eastmincom said.
It quoted Eastmincom chief Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol as reminding troops to “remain professional and dedicated to their constitutional mandates and stern duty of protecting the people and the state.”
“Our significant administrative and operational gains have consistently been progressive. We will not engage in any other activities not congruent to what we have sworn to do,” Eastmincom added.
