DND, AFP reject calls to turn its back on gov't amid corruption woes

The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reaffirmed their commitment to the Constitution and their mandate to the Filipino people, rejecting calls for the military to withdraw support from the government amid heightened political noise and allegations of corruption in flood control projects.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

In a joint statement issued Friday night, Sept. 12, DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. stressed that both the DND and AFP remain professional and nonpartisan institutions that continue to safeguard the nation and its democratic foundations.

“At this critical juncture for our national security in the face of threats to our peace and regional stability, politically motivated attempts to distract the Armed Forces of the Philippines from focusing on its mission are not only futile but also irresponsible," they said.

They underscored their support for President Marcos' anti-corruption drive, calling it not only a government initiative but a "national crusade for good governance, justice, and progress." "We owe it to our veterans, our heroes, and to future generations to ensure that the Philippines is firmly grounded in integrity," Teodoro and Brawner stressed.

The defense and military leadership also rejected attempts by certain groups to draw the AFP into unconstitutional and unilateral actions, reiterating that the armed forces strictly follow the Constitution and the chain of command.