AFP: Reported resignations after Duterte's arrest ‘unverified’

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday dismissed reports of alleged resignations of its personnel to express their support for former president Rodrigo Duterte amid his arrest.

“The AFP clarifies that reports of AFP personnel resigning in support of former President Duterte remain unverified,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a statement.

She also called on the public to exercise critical discernment and avoid spreading unconfirmed information.

“The AFP remains a professional, unified, and non-partisan institution, committed to its constitutional mandate of defending the nation and serving the Filipino people. Our personnel continues to remain focused on our sworn duty, upholding the rule of law and the chain of command,” she added.

Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala also said they have not received any reports that their personnel were resigning.

“Kung social media lang yang basis natin, definitely, di natin mapaniwalaan ‘yan. But currently, wala tayong nare-receive na reports, actual na mga sundalo, Philippine Army, na nagre-resign,” he told reporters.

(If our only basis is social media, we definitely can't believe that. But currently, we have not received any report of actual Philippine Army soldiers resigning.)

According to him, the Philippine Army personnel are in high morale and focused on their mandate.

“No need for a loyalty check. Ang Army naman natin remains professional and naka-focus lang dun sa mandate (Our Army remains professional and focused only on its mandate),” Dema-ala said.

Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain John Percie Alcos also said that their organization remains professional.

“The Philippine Navy, as one of the major services of the AFP is a professional organization that adheres to the Chain of Command. We remain steadfast in our duty to ensure national security and stability,” he said.

“The Philippine Navy assures all Filipinos that we uphold the highest standard of professionalism. Every sailor and marine will remain loyal to the constitution and to the oath that we took to serve the country and the Filipino people,” he added.

Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo, meanwhile, denied the reports on alleged resignations among their personnel for Duterte, saying that the group will maintain “political neutrality.”

“We have not monitored any unrest nor noted any personnel resignations, and our airmen remain alert and ready to perform their duty to maintain peace and security,” she said.

“The PAF Command ensures that our personnel continue to embody professionalism and loyalty to our flag and people while maintaining absolute political neutrality,” she added.

On Tuesday morning, authorities served a warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Duterte for crimes against humanity in connection with his drug war.

The plane carrying Duterte departed the Philippines on Tuesday evening heading to The Hague in the Netherlands.

Early Thursday morning (Philippine time), Duterte entered the Hague Penitentiary Institution or the Scheveningen Prison where he is set to be held while awaiting trial. —VAL, GMA Integrated News