Does call for military to withdraw support from Marcos an act of sedition, treason? Palace weighs in

Malacañang said Tuesday that the call for the military to withdraw support from President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. would be looked into to determine if this can be considered as an act of sedition or treason.

''Aaralin po kung ano po mismo ang naganap na rito para kung may dapat na managot, siguro po dapat na makasuhan,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said at a briefing when asked if Palace sees the call of retired military officials as an act of sedition or treason.

(We will study what really happened here so if someone needs to be held liable, cases should be filed.)

According to Castro, Marcos already has a knowledge of the call for the military to withdraw support from his administration even before the September 21 rallies. She cited the statements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police that they would remain loyal to the 1987 Constitution.

''Matagal na po niya itong nalaman kahit naman po before September 21 ay mayroong mga maliliit na grupo na nagsa-suggest ng ganito pero according nga po kay General [Romeo] Brawner at [Police] General [Jose Melencio] Nartatez ay mananatili po silang loyal sa Constitution at sa chain of command so wala pong dapat ipagalala ang taumbayan patungkol po dito,'' Castro said.

(He knew about this even before the September 21 rally, but according to General Brawner and General Nartatez, they will remain loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command so there's nothing to worry about.)

Asked if Marcos was bothered on this call, Castro said the President recognizes the skills of the security forces, adding that he trusts them that the two institutions will always do the right thing.

''Kinikilala niya po ang kagalingan ng AFP at PNP at ang lahat ng kasundaluhan at kapulisan natin at tiwala po sila na gagawin nila ang dapat at nararapat,'' she said.

(He recognizes the skills of the AFP and the PNP and he trusts them that they will do the right thing.)

Earlier, Brawner admitted that some retired officers called on the military to withdraw its support from Marcos, but they refused to do so.

Brawner said the retired officers' call was made amid public protests over the flood control anomalies revealed last month.

The Department of National Defense previously denied rumors of an alleged coup plot by the military against the Marcos administration. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News