The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said it has been placed on alert to respond to any untoward incidents that may arise during the series of anti-corruption protests being staged by various groups.
“Kailangan alerto pa rin tayo. Hindi naman pwedeng tanggalin sa equation na maaaring may ibang agenda na pwedeng gamitin itong mga pagkakataong ito para isingit ang kanilang interes,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said in an interview.
Religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) and other groups are scheduled to hold rallies on Sunday to call for transparency and better governance amid corruption revealed in flood control projects.
The INC will hold three days of rallies from November 16 to 18 at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park in Manila.
Meanwhile, the United People’s Initiative Fighting Corruption, a group of retired generals, will hold a rally at the EDSA People Power Monument on Sunday.
A group of supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte will also hold the Martsa ng Kalayaan on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, another group will hold the Takbo Laban sa Kurakot, a running event inside the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus from 6 to 10 a.m. today.
The AFP reiterated that troops would be on standby to assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) in maintaining public safety.
“Augmenting naman kami lagi. We support them in terms of implementing itong peace and order sa mga ganitong pagkakataon,” Padilla said.
Padilla also said the AFP is still validating reports that former military officials were allegedly getting involved in a supposed destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.
“Ang AFP has evolved to be a professional, disciplined, and non-partisan na institusyon,” Padilla said.
“Lagi nating inuuna ay ang ating Konstitusyon at taumbayan at hindi ang any political agenda. Hindi kami nagpapatinag dito sa gulo at ingay ng pulitika,” she added.
