There are no current destabilization “plots” against President Marcos, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Saturday, as AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner insisted he was misquoted and taken out of context during a speech in Zamboanga City on Friday.
“General Romeo S Brawner Jr, the Chief of Staff, AFP, was simply misquoted,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a statement.
In Brawner’s message to the troops of the Western Mindanao Command, “he merely mentioned the reported efforts by certain individuals to upset the peace and stability that the country is enjoying right now under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Aguilar added.
In a television interview, Brawner clarified that he never said the word “plot” but admitted saying he was hearing rumors about destabilization “efforts” by retired military officers from Mindanao.
“If we say ‘plot’, that’s a plan that’s about to be executed. What I said during my statement was that we were hearing rumblings of destabilization efforts – that’s the specific word I used, so I did not use the word ‘plot’,” he explained.
Aguilar also stressed that the AFP sees “no credible threat against national security” as he reminded AFP personnel to remain professional and loyal to their oath to protect the people and the state.
In a separate statement, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, who also served as AFP Chief before, reiterated that Brawner was misquoted or misinterpreted by the media.
“Yes, there were healthy and passionate exchanges or debates among some retired or former military officers and even some criticism against certain policies of the current administration, but they are within the bounds of our democratic space,” said Año.
“Although often abused, they are part of the freedom of expression where most academic discussion or politically motivated,” he added.
Año assured the people that the security sector is loyal to President Marcos.
He emphasized that the sector should remain vigilant and ready to take immediate action against any group that is eyeing to undermine national security.