Philippine Military Reaffirms Loyalty Amidst Corruption Allegations & Calls for Protest
Manila, Philippines – Top Philippine defense officials have publicly reaffirmed the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) loyalty to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following a surge in public outrage over alleged widespread corruption in flood control projects and calls for a “people power” revolt. Defense Secretary gilberto Teodoro Jr. and AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. issued a joint statement emphasizing the military’s commitment to its mission and the rule of law.
The statement came in response to a recent rally where a speaker urged the military to withdraw support from Marcos and encouraged a non-violent uprising reminiscent of the 1986 and 2001 revolts that ousted previous presidents. teodoro and Brawner characterized attempts to distract the AFP as “futile and irresponsible,” notably given ongoing regional security concerns.
The public anger stems from televised inquiries revealing alleged corruption within the implementation of numerous flood control projects. Dozens of legislators, senators, construction companies, and public works engineers have been accused of misappropriating funds – estimated at 545 billion pesos ($9.6 billion) spent over the last three years – through kickbacks used to finance lavish lifestyles and gambling. The scandal is particularly sensitive in the Philippines, a nation frequently devastated by typhoons and flooding.
Despite the public outcry, national security and defense officials, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, report no currently monitored threat of secessionism within the military or police forces. A confidential government security assessment, also reviewed by the AP, acknowledges that groups politically opposed to Marcos are leveraging the public outrage over the corruption allegations. However, the assessment concludes that a large-scale “people power” uprising is unlikely without significant support from within the military.
The assessment further indicates a strong level of loyalty and patriotism within the armed forces,citing dedication “to the constitution,the flag,and the president.”
President Marcos Jr.has responded to the allegations by forming an independent commission to investigate the “horrible” anomalies and has temporarily withheld funding for future flood control projects. He has also accepted the resignation of the Public Works Secretary and personally inspected flood-prone provinces, including Bulacan, to assess the status of projects firsthand. The government is currently reviewing thousands of projects to identify those that are substandard or non-existent.
The AFP’s reaffirmation of loyalty underscores the importance of maintaining stability as the examination unfolds and the government seeks to address the alleged corruption and ensure the effective implementation of vital infrastructure projects.
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