Military reiterates loyalty to Constitution, chain of command

September 27, 2018

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday assured its loyalty to the Constitution and the chain of command amid a so-called Red October plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

"We assure our people that their Armed Forces of the Philippines is a professional organization that subscribes to the Constitution that it has sworn to uphold and to defend," said AFP spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo.

On Tuesday, Duterte said some soldiers are in cahoots with the opposition Liberal Party and with the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army to remove him from office.

"We will never allow ourselves in the ranks of the active service to take direct or indirect participation in any political actions against the present duly constituted authorities," said Arevalo.

He also reiterated a warning by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez to soldiers involved in political activities that they will be " dealt with severely and personnel who will get involved will be immediately relieved from their posts, investigated, and meted stiff penalties where warranted.". DMS