Army delists Rep. Kiko Barzaga over social media post vs. military

Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga has been delisted as a reservist over his social media post against the military, the Philippine Army said Wednesday.

“Representative Kiko Barzaga was delisted over the release of his statements on social media, as he was insinuating sedition with an attached photo of him in military uniform,” Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala told GMA News Online in a message.

“Such statements endanger the Armed Forces' position as a non-partisan organization,” he added.

Dema-ala earlier said that the earlier decision to recommend Barzaga to be delisted was “in response to Rep. Barzaga’s speeches and utterances on social media insinuating that the AFP, PNP, and Reservists will join the protest on 21 September 2025, declaring the loss of trust in the President by the AFP.”  

In a message to reporters, Dema-ala said Barzaga’s delistment from the reserve force was effective September 21.

“The Philippine Army confirms the delistment of Cavite Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga from the Reserve Force, effective 21 September 2025,” Dema-ala said.

“This action was carried out following a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding his case and in accordance with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Rules and Regulations, specifically GHQ, AFP SOP No. 7, for actions deemed equivalent to grave offenses,” he added.

“Per investigation, lumalabas na 21 September niya na-commit yung offense by posting yung picture nya in military uniform while insinuating seditious statements that is why yun ang effectivity ng kanyang delistment,” Dema-ala said.

(As per investigation, he committed the offense on September 21 when he posted his picture wearing a military uniform while insinuating seditious statements, hence the effectivity of his delistment.)

Ghost projects?

Reacting to the development, Barzaga posted on his Facebook account: “Mukhang natakot ang AFP sakin, nakita ko kasi ang 15 Billion PHP Ghost Projects nila.”

(It looks like the AFP got afraid of me since I saw their P15-billion ghost projects.)

Following the delistment, Barzaga loses his status as a member of the AFP Reserve Force and is no longer authorized to wear the military uniform under any circumstance, according to Dema-ala.

This is pursuant to the Revised Penal Code Article 177 (Usurpation of Authority of Official Function) and Revised Penal Code Article 179 (Illegal Use of Uniforms and Insignias).

The lawmaker is also barred from being commissioned into the AFP Regular or Reserve Force in the future, the Army official added.

“We do not condone violations of military regulations, regardless of status or position, as part of our duty to preserve the professionalism and credibility of the organization,” Dema-ala said.

“We emphasize that this administrative action does not reflect on the personal character or public service record of Rep. Barzaga,” he added. — with Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA Integrated News