Military reminds soldiers to ignore “political noise”

October 1, 2018

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. told soldiers to ignore what he described as "political noise" in an alleged plot led by the communists to remove President Rodrigo Duterte from office.

During Monday's flag-raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Galvez asked soldiers to "obey" the President.

"Let us not be disturbed by the political noise and to take sides," said Galvez.

The Duterte administration is being criticized by some quarters for issues such as rising cost of basic goods, high inflation rate, rice shortage and extrajudicial killings.

" We need to uphold our oath and obey the chain of command, from the President, SND (Secretary of National Defense), down to our office chiefs and section, squad leaders. Let us remain solid and true to our oath, mandate and always undivided,” said Galvez.

Assistant AFP deputy chief of staff for operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. has said the "Red October" plot is led by Communist Party of the Philippines  founding chairman Jose Maria Sison, who is in exile in the Netherlands.

Parlade said the NPA's planned tactical offensives includes the raid of military and police installations to amass firearms. " DMS