A group of retired military generals and officers has condemned calls for destabilization and expressed renewed confidence in the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
In a manifesto dated Friday, the Association of General and Flag Officers, Inc. (AGFO) acknowledged the country’s current political climate and said it was aware of calls urging the AFP to withdraw support from the President.
Despite this, AGFO stressed that the military continues to uphold the sanctity of the Constitution and the principle of civilian supremacy — even in retirement.
The group said it “condemns any calls for the AFP to engage in unconstitutional acts or military adventurism.”
“We strictly invoke Article XVI, Section 5 of the Constitution, which mandates that the Armed Forces shall be insulated from partisan politics and that no member of the military shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any partisan political activity, except to vote,” the manifesto stated.
AGFO added that it has full confidence in the AFP’s current leadership.
“We express our absolute vote of confidence in the AFP leadership. We commend their steadfast refusal to be swayed by partisan interests and their firm resolve to keep the AFP united, professional, and loyal to the Constitution,” the statement read.
The manifesto was signed by the AGFO board, along with 75 other signatories.
In October, the AFP acknowledged a survey showing that seven in 10 Filipinos believe the military should not intervene in politics.
The AFP reiterated then that it remains committed to defending the law, the people, and the nation’s sovereignty, in line with democratic principles and civilian authority.
Just days earlier, the AFP reiterated its rejection of any form of military intervention to change the country’s leadership, stressing that it will remain a “professional, disciplined, and non-partisan institution committed to serving the people and protecting the Republic.”
Earlier in November, AFP officers renewed their oaths “to remain non-partisan and to defend the Constitution” amid talks of a destabilization plot taking place to remove the President from his position.
For its part, the AFP said that it appreciated AGFO for its manifestation, saying it is an expression of confidence from leaders who dedicated the prime of their lives to service.
“This expression of confidence from leaders who dedicated the prime of their lives to service, deeply affirms the shared commitment of both active and retired officers to uphold the Constitution, respect civilian authority, and preserve the professionalism of the military institution,” AFP said on Sunday.
