Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa during the opening of the 18th Congress at the Philippine Senate on July 22, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1732707244841New Project.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa during the opening of the 18th Congress at the Philippine Senate on July 22, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner">Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa during the opening of the 18th Congress at the Philippine Senate on July 22, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said former President Rodrigo Duterte did not call for a military coup against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as he maintained that his former boss&#x27; recent comments on military intervention to correct a &quot;fracture in governance&quot; is not seditious.</p><p>Dela Rosa is not a lawyer but was once chief of the Philippine National Police. </p><p>&quot;Basta wala naman siya sinabi na mag-kudeta kayo. Wala naman siya sinabi na atakehin yung Malacañang. Wala naman siya sinabi na ganoon di ba?&quot; Dela Rosa said.</p><p>(As long as he didn&#x27;t say they should have a coup d&#x27;etat. He didn&#x27;t say anything about attacking Malacañang. He didn&#x27;t say anything like that, right?)</p><p>Dela Rosa, a member of Duterte&#x27;s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, said the former leader only reminded the military of its role in the country.</p><p>&quot;I agree with him when he laid down on the table the available options for the military. I agree with him when he educated the military kung anong papel nila (what their role is). To defend the Constitution,&quot; Dela Rosa said.</p><p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines has affirmed it will remain non-partisan amid the political noise.</p><p>&quot;There is no need for a loyalty check. As the chief of staff said, he trusts that each soldier will perform his mandate and remain professional. <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/27/afp-denies-grumblings-amid-marcos-duterte-feud-1113">Ang aming loyalty is to the Flag and to the Constitution, and we adhere to the Chain of Command</a>,&quot; Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said Tuesday.</p><p>The Department of Justice has, however, warned Duterte that his comments were uncalled for and were “seditious and legally actionable.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/27/trillanes-says-senior-military-officers-solidly-behind-marcos-but-warns-vs-complacency-1650">RELATED: Palace tells Rodrigo Duterte to respect constitution after call for AFP to correct &#x27;fractured governance&#x27;</a></div><p>This is not the first time that Duterte has raised the issue, saying in January that security forces should reconsider support for a supposed drug addict — an allegation often repeated by Marcos critics but never substantiated.</p><p>Duterte also previously called for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/28/duterte-backtracks-on-drug-claims-vs-marcos-mindanao-secession-1723">READ: Duterte backtracks on drug claims vs Marcos, Mindanao secession</a></div><div><strong>BONG GO: NO COMMENT</strong></div><p>Another Duterte ally is meanwhile keeping his distance.</p><p>&quot;No comment na po ako diyan,&quot; Sen. Christopher &quot;Bong&quot; Go, vice chair of the Senate defense committee, said. </p><p>&quot;Mas alam po ng militar ang kanilang trabaho at alam po nila ang kanilang responsibilidad. At alam naman po nila ang Constitution,&quot; Go, Duterte&#x27;s former assistant, said.</p><p>(The military knows their job better than I do and they know their responsibilities. And they know the Constitution)</p><p>Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate finance committee, said she expects the military to remain professional and apolitical.</p><p>&quot;[T]heir responsibility is to protect the country, its citizens. So, unless they feel that there&#x27;s a threat, they always have to remain apolitical. So, their statement is their statement. That is just my view,&quot; Poe said.</p><p>Senators have been calling for deescalation between the Marcos Jr. and Duterte factions in government, with Senate President Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero calling for calm amid rising tensions.</p><p>“Our government has urgent and pressing concerns it must address—matters that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of the Filipino people. It is imperative that we as public officials focus our energy and attention on resolving these issues,” <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/23/escudero-appeals-for-calm-after-vp-sara-duterte-s-rants-2238">he said over the weekend</a>.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_hgwJSx7Cvk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Dela Rosa, a member of Duterte's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, said the former leader only reminded the military of its role in the country.</p>

Dela Rosa, a member of Duterte's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, said the former leader only reminded the military of its role in the country.

'I agree with him': Dela Rosa says Duterte only reminded AFP of their role

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'I agree with him': Dela Rosa says Duterte only reminded AFP of their role

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 27, 2024 07:35 PM PHT

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Senate

Ronald dela Rosa

military coup

Rodrigo Duterte Jr.

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