Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner gives a media briefing  after the Change of Command ceremonies at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on July 21, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174841628570120230721-afp-change-of-command-ceremony-JC-11.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner gives a media briefing  after the Change of Command ceremonies at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on July 21, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. on Wednesday said there would be no coup d’etat under his leadership, rejecting claims of internal unrest within the institution. </p><p>In a statement, Brawner reaffirmed the AFP’s “unwavering commitment” to the Constitution and the chain of command.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/4/afp-intel-chief-assures-no-coup-plot-to-worry-about-amid-marcos-duterte-rift-1802">AFP intel chief assures no coup plot to worry about amid Marcos-Duterte rift</a></div><p>“As long as I serve as the chief of staff, no coup shall happen. Not on my watch. We will not be shaken by rumor nor outmaneuvered by noise,” Brawner said.</p><p>He also underscored the military’s professionalism and ongoing pursuit of reform accountability and internal discipline.</p><p>“I have full confidence in the integrity, patriotism and professionalism of the men and women of the military. Isolated grievances do not define the AFP—our collective commitment to service does,” he said. </p><div><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/Lr7A9VA3kKA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>The AFP chief called out those who continue to stir discord and disinformation, warning them of the “broader consequences” of undermining institutions built to serve and protect the public.</p><p>“To those who persist in creating instability, I offer this not as a rebuke, but as a reminder. Do not sow doubt among the very ranks that safeguard our democracy... Frustration is not a license to target your protectors. Attacking the armed forces with baseless narratives only threatens to weaken an institution that exists to defend us all,” he said.</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; problems</a></div><p>Brawner encouraged the public to be discerning in “approaching sensitive topics concerning public institutions and national security” and differentiate “genuine concerns from baseless speculations.”</p><p>Allegations of internal unrest within the military have been swirling again, particularly on social media, following the March arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/11/dozens-of-cops-at-naia-ahead-of-rodrigo-duterte-s-expected-arrival-0951">Ex-President Duterte arrested on ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity</a></div><p>Duterte was arrested on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s bloody drug war.</p><p>In January, at the height of preparations for the midterm elections, the AFP chief said that a “military junta won’t solve the country’s problems” in response to Duterte’s call to the AFP to “correct the fractured governance” of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</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/Fuzq7uUjle4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></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/rqgRu1uxpe0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The AFP chief called out those who continue to stir discord and disinformation, warning them of the “broader consequences."</p>

The AFP chief called out those who continue to stir discord and disinformation, warning them of the “broader consequences."

'Not on my watch': AFP chief Brawner dismisses coup rumors

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'Not on my watch': AFP chief Brawner dismisses coup rumors

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 28, 2025 03:14 PM PHT

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