AN underground organization, which claims to have in its ranks military and police officials, has called for the resignation of President Rodrigo Duterte, who won a six-year term last year, following his alleged crime of betraying the public trust.
But the military Tuesday expressed support to Duterte, downplaying what it called as “unfounded” allegations against the commander-in-chief.
“The AFP categorically denies the recent statement issued by a group that pretends to be a representative of the men and women of the AFP and the PNP and call themselves the Patriotic and Democratic Movement or Padem,” the military said in a statement read by Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella during a Malacañang news briefing.
“The entire AFP along with all the men and women of the uniformed services and all its civilian personnel stand by the Constitutionally mandated government and unequivocally support the Commander-in-Chief,” the military said.
“The accusations and issues cited by the group are unfounded and uncalled for. Such issues are clearly politically motivated and a matter that the AFP does not and will not subscribe to,” it added.
In a statement posted in a blog ‘Pinoy Abrod,’ Padem called on the military to “condemn and hold Rodrigo R. Duterte accountable for gross crimes in betrayal of public trust and in violation of national sovereignty and democratic rights of the Filipino people.”
“We call on our fellow officers and members of the AFP and the PNP to join the people in demanding the resignation or ouster of Duterte and his administration,” the group’s Spokesperson, Antonio Bonifacio, said
Among the 10 crimes Duterte allegedly committed, according to the group, were: treating the military and police as his private armies; condoning and protecting top-level illegal drug users; emboldening and inciting the police to engage in extrajudicial activities; corruption; allowing China to occupy the country’s maritime features in the West Philippine Sea; making the Philippines a ‘debt vassal’ of China, among others.
Padem also mentioned that Duterte was condoning and protecting top-level illegal drug lords, including his son Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and, short of identifying them, drug protectors at the level of governors and generals.
The group added it would “support a new civilian administration” in the event Duterte would be ousted, and follow the principle of civilian supremacy.
In many of his previous speeches, the President dared his critics who wanted him out of power to stage an uprising against him.
“I will even send trucks for your transportation. Go ahead. I am waiting for that actually, so there will be a change in president and a new government that is working,” the President said in a media interview at Malacañang Park on Monday.
“If there is an uprising, go ahead all those who do not believe in me. Let us have an uprising,” the President said.
Those from the military who wanted to launch a coup against him “need not fight the Presidential Security Group,” Duterte said.
“Tell me if you want my office and I will swear them (sic) to office,” he said.
The military, however, warned they would not hesitate “in acting against forces who shall undermine the stability and security of our country and those who wish to destabilize our nation thru unconstitutional means.”
“The AFP appeals to the public and the various political groups to respect the apolitical stance of the AFP and to help bring unity and healing instead of fomenting divisiveness and collapse,” the military added.