AFP, PNP reiterate loyalty to Constitution amid call to withdraw support from Marcos

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday gave reassurance of their loyalty to the 1987 Constitution amid a call to withdraw support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In a statement, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the military “reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism, loyalty to the Constitution, and strict adherence to the Chain of Command.”

“Our soldiers, pilots, sailors, and marines remain dedicated to our mandate of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines, regardless of any political affiliations or individuals in authority,” she added.

Padilla said AFP’s duty is to protect the Filipino people, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that peace and development will prevail in the country.

“We will continue to fulfill these responsibilities with integrity, impartiality, and utmost dedication,” she said.

At a press conference, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said that at present, there is no basis to withdraw support from duly constituted authorities.

“On the part of the PNP, we have the Constitution at ang aming loyatly ay nasa kababayan po. Let us spare our uniformed personnel sa mga ganitong usaping politikal,” Fajardo said.

(On the part of the PNP, we have the Constitution and our loyalty is to the people. Let us spare our uniformed personnel from such political matters.)

“Wala namang basehan po sa ngayon po para mag-alis tayo o mag-withdraw ng suporta sa duly constituted authorities at ito ay igalang po muna natin,” she added.

(There is no basis right now for us to remove or withdraw support from the duly constituted authorities and we should respect this.)

During a rally with former President Rodrigo Duterte in Tagum City on Sunday, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez appealed to the military organization to withdraw support from Marcos.

“Nakikiusap ako sa inyo. We don't have to hurt each other. We don't have to fire a single shot. Simple lang, sa mapayapang paraan. Please withdraw your support to the Chief Executive,” Alvarez said.

(I am appealing to you. We don't have to hurt each other. We don't have to fire a single shot. It’s simple, in a peaceful way. Please withdraw your support to the Chief Executive.)

Alvarez pointed out that the Constitution states that the AFP shall protect the people as he expressed concerns from a possible war in the West Philippine Sea.

“Kapag ba pinayagan natin na pumutok 'yung gyera sa West Philippine Sea, 'yan ba prinotektahan natin ang taong bayan? 'Yan ba prinotektahan natin ang state? Hindi po,” Alvarez said.

(When we allow the WPS war to break out, are we protecting the people? Is that what will protect the state? No)

“Kapag sumabog ang gulo sa WPS, there will be countless of dead bodies. There would be unimaginable destruction, famine, hunger, mangyayari po 'yan,” he added.

(When trouble breaks out in the WPS, there will be countless dead bodies. There would be unimaginable destruction, famine, hunger, that will happen, so before all that happens.)

Before these things happen, he called on the military to withdraw their support to Marcos.

“Kapag nag-withdraw kayo ng suporta sa kanya, wala na siyang ibang magagawa kung hindi bababa sa pwesto,” Alvarez said.

(When you withdraw support from him, he will have no choice but to step down.)

Even some of Alvarez's colleagues in the House of Representatives frowned at his remarks, saying the former Speaker could face an ethics complaint for it, if not a criminal complaint filed by government prosecutors.

“I would kindly urge the former Speaker to be cautious with his words and clear on his intent. At face value, his anti-government statements are unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives and may warrant an ethics case against him,” Lanao del Norte Rep. Khalid Dimaporo said in a statement.

Camiguin Rep. JJ Romualdo, for his part, said “the response to the seditious statement should be the immediate filing of a criminal case so that the move to incite people, including the military, to rebel against the government will be nipped in the bud,”

The Revised Penal Code states that the crime of inciting to sedition is committed by “any person who, without taking any direct part in the crime of sedition, incite others to the accomplishment of any of the acts which constitute sedition, by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, cartoons, banners, or other representations tending to the same end, or upon any person or persons who shall utter seditious words or speeches, write, publish, or circulate scurrilous libels against the government, or any of the duly constituted authorities thereof.

Acts which constitute sedition also include “those which tend to disturb or obstruct any lawful officer in executing the functions of his office, or which tend to instigate others to cabal and meet together for unlawful purposes, or which suggest or incite rebellious conspiracies or riots, or which lead or tend to stir up the people against the lawful authorities or to disturb the peace of the community, the safety and order of the Government, or who shall knowingly conceal such evil practices."

“Clearly, what former Speaker Alvarez remarked during a rally in Tagum City falls within the purview of sedition,” Romualdo added.

For its part, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said it is studying the matter.

“We must first see the full context of the statement to see if it indeed rises to the level of sedition,” Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said in a message to reporters on Tuesday, April 16.

La Union Rep. Paulo Ortega, meanwhile, said Alvarez should keep himself busy by participating in the House proceedings instead of ranting against the government.

“While he has the right to freedom of speech and do what he wishes provided these are within the bounds of law, he is duty-bound as well to perform his tasks as a member of Congress.That involves participation in House sessions and committee deliberations. We have not seen him for quite some time,” Ortega said.—with a report from Llanesca T. Panti/AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News