Palace backs Chiz’s position on Dutertes enflaming AFP

Malacañang backed Senate President Chiz Escudero’s stand that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other uniformed personnel should adhere to their professional mandate despite fervent appeals from the Duterte camp, which some interpret as encouraging soldiers to defy authority.

“That’s correct. Public servants should be apolitical and not be dragged into personal issues, especially those involving the Dutertes,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing yesterday.

Castro echoed Escudero’s concerns, stating that it is inappropriate to call on the military or police to address the personal requests of individuals or families.

“The military, our armed forces, and our police are for the country—not solely for the Duterte family,” she said.

The Palace reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the neutrality of the country’s security forces, emphasizing that its primary role is to ensure national security and public safety.

On Monday, Escudero questioned why Vice President Sara Duterte chided the military for doing nothing to stop the arrest of the father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

She even challenged the military to explain why it allowed the Philippine National Police to exercise control over Villamor Air Base, where the elder Duterte was provisionally held in the hours before his surrender to the International Criminal Court.

“You know, I don’t understand that concern of our vice president except that it’s a continuation of what seems to be a common message from them that always appeals to the Armed Forces at any level, any issue, any event,” he told Senate reporters in Filipino.

While Escudero did not specify instances, the comment comes amid heightened political tension between the Marcos and Duterte camps after the arrest of the former president.

“I also can’t understand why she [Duterte] had to point out that the Presidential Security Command was under the AFP. What is she trying to do? Is she pitting soldiers against policemen?,” the Senate President asked.

“It’s clear that it [Duterte’s arrest] was a law enforcement operation and the AFP only assisted. The military cannot pick a fight with cops engaged in a law enforcement operation. Why is she trying to get the two sides to fight?”