AFP reiterates support for Duterte as group calls for his ouster

The Armed Forces of the Philippines reiterated Tuesday its support for the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte as it denied the allegations made by an alleged group of military and police personnel calling for the Chief Executive's ouster.

AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the entire AFP, along with all the men and women of the uniformed services and all their civilian personnel, stand by the government and support Duterte, their commander-in-chief.

"The AFP categorically denies the recent statement issued by a group that pretends to be representative of the men and women of the AFP and the PNP that calls itself the Patriotic and Democratic Movement (PADEM)," he said in a press statement.

Padilla said the accusations and issues cited by the group are unfounded and uncalled for.

"Such issues are clearly politically motivated and a matter that the AFP does not and will not subscribe to," he said.

PADEM, in a statement issued Monday, said it condemns and holds Duterte accountable for gross crimes in betrayal of the public trust and in violation of national sovereignty and the democratic rights of the Filipino people.

Among Duterte's crimes that PADEM mentioned were his alleged use of the AFP and the Philippine National Police as his own private armies, his practice of favoritism and the violation of professional and service standards in the promotion and assignment of officers.

PADEM added that the President was corrupting the PNP and the AFP with a system of monetary awards for the extrajudicial killing of alleged illegal drug users and suspected New People's Army members.

PADEM also said that Duterte was condoning and protecting top-level illegal drug lords, including his son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and drug protectors at the level of governors and generals.

The group also alleged that Duterte incites the police to commit extrajudicial killings; allowed China to occupy the West Philippine Sea; bungled the operations in Marawi City and indiscriminately destroyed lives and property through aerial bombings, artillery and mortar fire there; as well as favors certain Chinese businessmen and Duterte relatives and cronies in the awarding of planned infrastructure projects using loans from China.

PADEM urged Filipinos to exercise their right of assembly and expression to undertake mass actions demanding the ouster of Duterte even as it called on fellow officers and members of the AFP and the PNP to join the people.

"We pledge to work for the withdrawal of military and police support for Duterte and his administration in conjunction with mass mobilization of the Filipino people in millions to manifest their demand for the resignation or ouster of Duterte and his administration," PADEM stated.

A certain Antonio Bonifacio signed as spokesperson of the group.

'Respect processes'

Padilla said current developments and issues that the group wish to take advantage of are now being addressed by the Department of Justice and parties to a possible crime are now under detention.

"Let us respect these processes and not allow ourselves to be used by individuals or groups with vested interests. We appeal for sobriety, reason and patience as we await the results of these processes," he said.

Padilla added that they are the constitutionally mandated protectors of the people and will stand by law-abiding citizens whenever and wherever they are needed.

"Having affirmed this, the AFP, however, will not hesitate in acting against forces who shall undermine the stability and security of our country and those who wish to destabilize our nation thru unconstitutional means," he said.

The AFP appealed to the public and the various political groups to respect the apolitical stance of the AFP and help bring unity and healing instead of fomenting divisiveness and collapse. —KG/KVD, GMA News