MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. firmly assured the nation on Friday that the Armed Forces of the Philippines remains solidly professional and unaffected by the ongoing political turmoil and dramatic events unfolding in the Senate.
Speaking during the 45th anniversary celebration of the 5th Infantry Division in Gamu, Isabela, Teodoro directly dismissed attempts by certain groups — including retired officers from the PMA “Sinagtala” Class of 1986 — to drag the military into the controversy surrounding Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
“Well, that probably will influence those who are retired for political support, but those in the ranks are professionals, and this will not affect them,” Teodoro declared.
He stressed that calls for the AFP to “take a stand” or intervene have “no basis in law” and represent a “gross misinterpretation” of the military’s constitutional role as protector of the people. The defense chief emphasized that the Armed Forces must remain strictly apolitical, noting that the Philippines has already learned hard lessons from past improper meddling in politics.
Teodoro clarified that the Senate shooting incident, the serving of arrest warrants, and Dela Rosa’s recent disappearance are purely law enforcement matters, not national security or military concerns. He also confirmed that the Marine contingent deployed to the Senate was there only for physical security and not involved in law enforcement operations.
Meanwhile, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. reinforced the same message during a visit to the Special Forces Regiment in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, on May 14. He urged elite troops to stay focused on their duties amid evolving security challenges.
“Continue doing good service for our country. Be proud of the uniform you wear and always be loyal to our Constitution, our people, our organization, our country and our flag,” Brawner said.
Bottom line: Despite the noise in the Senate, the country’s top defense officials made it crystal clear — the AFP is staying out of politics and remains laser-focused on defending the nation.
