DND denies coup plot vs. Marcos gov’t

The Department of National Defense (DND) denied rumors of an alleged coup plot by the military against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

“Walang nag-balak sa AFP. Maraming nagdadasal na may nag-balak sana. Pero walang nagba-balak sa AFP,” said Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Chino Gaston’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday. 

(No one in the AFP planned such a thing. While many could have prayed that someone planned on doing so. But no one from the AFP is planning to do that.) 

The coup rumours were also discussed in a Senate executive session, the National Security Council, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, according to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.  But he refused to give details about the meeting.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also denied the allegations, noting that it remains loyal to the Constitution. 

“This is an outright lie and dangerous attempt to poison minds, weaken the chain of command, and sow division between the commander-in-chief and the armed forces. The Armed Forces of the Philippines remain steadfast in our loyalty in the Constitution and it is fully committed to defending the republic, not betraying it,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla. 

According to the report, the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) alongside other groups met with Marcos last September 19, a few days before the anti-corruption protests in September 21 wherein a riot also erupted in Mendiola in Manila. 

“Sampung grupo ang nagpunta doon. ‘Yung mga retiradong nasabi na lihis ang kanilang pananaw, na tumatawag ng activities or actions that border on defying the Constitution or violating the Constitution, ayan ay hindi sinusuportahan ng karamihan ng ating retirado, including the AGFO,” said AGFO board member Retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan.

(Ten groups went there. Those retired [personnel] whose views are different, who are calling for activities or actions that border on defying the Constitution or violating the Constitution, these are not supported by the majority of our retirees, including the AGFO.) 

A senior AFP official warned anyone funding those calling for the military's withdrawal. 

“We will not take this sitting down when people would start to give out fake news, misinformation, disinformation, malinformation on a false premise that the AFP could not perform its mandate on armed rebellion,” said Philippine Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad. 

Meanwhile, Malacañang said Marcos still trusts the AFP. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News