AFP vows to protect Constitution, won't take over infra projects

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday, Oct. 24, vowed to protect the Constitution amid recent calls from some groups urging the military to intervene in political affairs amid alleged corruption issues hounding the country's infrastructure projects.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. made the commitment following reports of individuals calling on the military to "take action" amid public protests denouncing reported corruption in flood control and other infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

"We will protect the country, the Constitution, and the duly constituted authorities," Brawner said in a radio interview over DZRH, where he emphasized the military's commitment to uphold democratic institutions and the chain of command.

He warned that such appeals, if acted upon, could lead to destabilization and severely damage the country's economy and international reputation.

"If the Armed Forces were to intervene, like our experiences in EDSA 1 and EDSA 2, there are only three possible outcomes: either a coup d'état; a withdrawal of support from the President as we saw when General [Angelo] Angie Reyes, then Chief of Staff, withdrew support from former President [Joseph] Estrada; or a military junta," Brawner explained.