MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reiterates its fealty to the Philippine Constitution amid the ongoing feud between President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Jimmy Larida made the affirmation when asked by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada during the Commission on Appointments’ (CA) committee on national defense hearing on Wednesday.
“Are there any grumbling(s) sa military ngayon because of the recent events?” Estrada asked.
“Hundred percent none, Sir,” Larida answered.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, father of Duterte-Carpio, recently challenged the military to protect the Constitution amid what he claimed is a “fractured governance in the Philippines.”
“Hanggang kailan kayo magsuporta ng drug addict na presidente?” Duterte said in a press conference on Monday. “I challenge the whole military kasi they’re supposed to be the protector of the Constitution.”
AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla responded by requesting for the AFP to be spared from any political issues, emphasizing that they are a “non-partisan” organization.
“These are all noise that is going on. And we request po na do not lose focus on the bigger challenge that we are facing ahead. So, marami po tayong issues na dapat harapin na hindi po natin gusto na malihis po ang usapin sa ibat-ibang ingay na kumakalat po,” she said./PN
