AFP morale high, no need for loyalty check —DND exec

An official of the Department of National Defense (DND) said Wednesday the morale of the troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains high despite the alleged internal issues due to the changes in its leadership, adding there is no need for a loyalty check among them.

In a press conference, DND Undersecretary Angelito De Leon was asked for an assessment of morale in the DND and AFP given the recent changes in their command.

“Let me give my assessment based on the turnout in this morning’s traditional joint DND New Years’ call. All the key commanders were there including the key staff officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the DND civilian bureaus. So I think there is no issue on the morale. The morale remains high. We are focused on our mandate,” he answered.

On Monday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. named Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. as the secretary of the DND after its officer-in-charge, Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., resigned.

Last week, the President also appointed General Andres Centino back as AFP chief. He replaced Marcos’ previous appointee, Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro, who only served for almost five months.

With this development, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong announced Tuesday that around five undersecretaries and four assistant secretaries filed their courtesy resignations.

Stressing that the resignations are “nothing extraordinary” as they were only part of the customary process in an agency, De Leon said that DND officials remain “intact,” after Galvez enjoined them to stay in place.

“It is incumbent upon the newly designated head of agency to either accept or reject. In the case of Secretary Galvez, while we are ready with our courtesy resignation in accordance with customs, there is nothing extraordinary about it. He immediately gave the order, everybody stays put and hence nobody would resign or get out of DND,” De Leon said.

He said that the senior leaders, including the undersecretaries and assistant secretaries, “all agreed to stay” despite the sudden changes in the DND leadership.

Asked if it is still necessary to conduct a loyalty check among DND and AFP personnel with this shift in command, De Leon said there is no need to do so.

“Hindi na po. Wala pong kailangang loyalty check [there is no need for a loyalty check]. The AFP remains steadfast and loyal to the constitution, the flag, and the duly constituted authorities,” he added. 

'One defense team' 

In his speech at the joint DND-AFP Traditional New Year’s Call, Galvez lauded the DND’s achievements in the past year, including the government’s strides in local peace-building, anti-insurgency efforts, and AFP modernization.

He said the establishment of the agency’s ten-point defense agenda would serve as their "strategic guide in moving forward for the next several years."

Galvez also called on defense officials to rally behind President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

"Guided by our mandate and in solidarity with other government agencies and different reputable stakeholders, we, as one defense team, shall be among the resilient rudders that will help steer our country toward inclusive and sustainable economic development, empowering us to build a stronger and better Philippines as envisioned by our President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency Ferdinand Marcos Jr.," said Galvez. 

"Hiling ko po sa lahat na patuloy nating mahalin ang ating bayan," he added.

(My wish is that we continue to love our country.) —with Sundy Locus/KG/VBL, GMA Integrated News