Ched Rick Gatchalian

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AFP verifying alleged involvement of active-duty soldier in destabilization rumors

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763101664392cropped-Screen Shot 2025-11-14 at 2.26.54 PM.png" style="width:960px;display:block" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Armed Forces of the Philippines join the civic and military parade during the celebration of the  125th anniversary of Philippine Independence at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park in Manila on June 12, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is verifying whether an active-duty soldier is among the individuals allegedly linked to a destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.</p><p>AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said military intelligence is now validating the list of supposed government officials and retired military officials behind the destabilization rumors, earlier posted by columnist Mon Tulfo on his social media account.</p><p>“Hindi pa nagre-report sa akin ang intelligence community but they are already doing their investigation, especially doon sa active members ng AFP. Doon po sa listahan kasi ay may isa na nakalagay doon. Yun ang talagang tinitingnan natin because we want to make sure na walang active member ng AFP who will be involved in any of these unconstitutional activities,” Brawner told defense reporters in a chance interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/11/tulfo-s-alleged-destabilization-list-forwarded-to-afp-intel-team-malaca-ang-1357">Tulfo’s alleged destabilization list forwarded to AFP intel team: Malacañang</a></div><p>Brawner stressed that the military takes rumors of destabilization efforts seriously.</p><p>“Pag may ganyang sinasabing destabilization plots, kailangang tignan nang maigi ito,” he said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;FOCUSED&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Despite the rumors, the AFP chief reiterated that the military remains focused on its Constitutional mandate—internal security operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), and territorial defense.</p><p>He also rejected calls urging soldiers to join protests and back a coup d’etat, emphasizing that the AFP will not participate in any unconstitutional activity.</p><p>“I’m very happy to report na yung mga miyembro ng AFP are very professional, kaya kahit may mga ganitong nangyayari sa ating lipunan, we are aware of what is happening, but we remain professional. Disiplinado ang ating mga sundalo,” Brawner noted.</p><p>“Itong mga nananawagan na sumama ang mga sundalo sa rallies at panawagan nila ng coup d’etat, huwag na po kayong umasa na ang AFP ay gagawa ng unconstitutional activities. We will not resort to unconstitutional means to bring about change. We will stick to the rule of law,” he added.</p><p>“Hindi tayo magkukudeta, hindi tayo magmi-military junta, dahil ang kawawa ay ang ating bansa kapag ginawa namin ito,” he further said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DND</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., meanwhile, downplayed such calls from a handful of retired military officials as part of information operations.</p><p>“That’s a function, really, of information operations. There will be all these agitations. We have to learn to live with it, and we have to learn to ignore it,” Teodoro told reporters in a separate interview.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/13/marcos-jr-will-not-block-lawful-protests-malaca-ang-1752">Marcos Jr. will not block lawful protests: Malacañang</a></div><p>He went on, “Actually, they are very few. The bulk of the retired officials, they do not speak for all retired officials. That’s why even naming them as speaking for retired officials is unfair to the majority of retired officials. They’re retired people; they have their own take on things, but if it is really a violation of the law, then they have to account for it. But this is not the vast majority of retired officials. So, let’s not glorify these people and putting them in a place where they shouldn’t be regarded by the public.”</p><p>Teodoro noted that while some issues must be resolved politically, these do not always affect the military or the police.</p><p>“There’s no worry from our side because we know it’s a function of information,” the Defense chief said. </p><p>“I’ve said it before—pulitika ito, walang epekto sa AFP at sa police. Of course, the police needs to preserve peace and order because they’re the law enforcers. The AFP and the PCG [Philippine Coast Guard] are deputized by the police in case they need it.”</p><p>“They will agitate. They are noisy. But what effect does it have on the ordinary soldier? Maybe on the public, it has… But here, you know, the mission is clear on all [AFP] services,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/9/afp-chief-says-coup-won-t-solve-philippines-problems-1918">AFP chief says coup won&#x27;t solve Philippines&#x27;</a></div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is verifying whether an active-duty soldier is among the individuals allegedly linked to a destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is verifying whether an active-duty soldier is among the individuals allegedly linked to a destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.

‘No coup, no junta’: AFP verifying involvement of active-duty soldier in alleged destabilization

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‘No coup, no junta’: AFP verifying involvement of active-duty soldier in alleged destabilization

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 14, 2025 02:29 PM PHT

Read More:

Armed Forces of the Philippines

AFP

Coup d'etat

Rallies

Protests

Marcos administration

Romeo Brawner Jr.

Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Destabilization

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