A high-ranking army official dismissed reports of a destabilization plot against the Marcos administration on Wednesday.
During the Commission on Appointments’ deliberation on the ad interim appointments of 15 generals and officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Lieutenant General Ferdinand Barandon asserted that AFP personnel are “professionals and mission-oriented.”
“As for the AFP, there is nothing to worry about. Again, I would like to emphasize, as mentioned by our chief of staff, we’ll be mission-focused and we will abide by duly constituted authority. As for the retired officers, I think I’m not in a position to talk about what they are thinking or what they would want to do,” Barandon said.
This was his response after Batangas 5th District Rep. Marvey Mariño asked whether there are active plots to destabilize the government among AFP members following the filing of an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“So, being the head of the intelligence part of the AFP, you’re confident that there’s nothing going on regarding talks of destabilization and all that?” Mariño inquired.
Barandon answered affirmatively.
“I would like to re-echo the statement that the chief of staff, as well as senior commanders of the AFP, are constantly communicating with members of the AFP on matters pertaining to our mission and our constitutional duty to defend both the constitution and the people,” he stated.
Mariño then asked whether foreign countries might take advantage of the current political situation in the Philippines, particularly following the rift between Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Barandon replied that monitoring possible foreign malign operations is part of the AFP’s intelligence gathering efforts. He indicated that he would be willing to discuss more “specifics of the activity” only in an executive session.
