ILOILO City – Amid claims of a plot to oust President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Brigadier General Jack Wanky, director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), has affirmed the loyalty of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Western Visayas to the Chain of Command.
The affirmation followed allegations by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV of an ouster plot involving senior PNP and Armed Forces personnel.
Wanky clarified that there are no reports of such activities in the region and assured the public of the police’s allegiance.
“Our police personnel are loyal. Here in Region 6, there’s no report regarding that matter or any alleged destabilization plot to oust our President,” he said.
Despite the absence of evidence, however, Wanky said monitoring would continue.
“We have received no news regarding such a movement, but we will still monitor. I am confident there is no such movement as our police are content,” he added.
Just this April 29, amid calls for the military to withdraw support from President Marcos, the Chief Executive’s adviser on military and police affairs reminded Western Visayas policemen to be loyal to the chain of command.
This loyalty must be “unconditional and unwavering” at all times, stressed Secretary Roman Felix of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs (OPAMA) during a visit to Camp Martin Delgado, the headquarters of the PRO-6 here.
Trillanes recently claimed that high-ranking police and military officials were recruiting personnel to join a plot against President Marcos, a claim quickly denied by the national police headquarters.
PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said their intelligence has not identified any such activities.
“We have spoken with the Chief PNP, Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, and confirmed that our intelligence units have not monitored any police officer involved in this alleged destabilization plot,” Fajardo said.
Similarly, the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz, through its spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, reported no negative activities among its soldiers.
“We learned from past experiences and mistakes. Adventurism has no place in Central and Western Visayas. We are committed to following the chain of command,” Javines said.
On April 14, Davao del Norte’s Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines to withdraw its support from Marcos, claiming that such an act would allow the country to attain peace and stability.
The lawmaker made the call after noting the rising tensions between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.
“Let us remain steadfast and resolute in ensuring the political stability of the PBBM administration. And let us affirm the duly constituted authorities at all times,” said Secretary Felix.
The Secretary admitted he had repeatedly issued this reminder “on several occasions already.”
“However, I deem it appropriate to deliver it over and over again just to overemphasize to each and every one of you that the loyalty of the Armed Services to our President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency Ferdinand Marcos Jr., must be unconditional and unwavering at all times.”/PN
