Jamaine Punzalan

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administers the oath taking of newly appointed  Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, June 06, 2023. Kj Rosales, PPA pool/File

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MARCOS

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177371858347020230606-marcos-dnd-teodoro-PPA3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administers the oath of Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Kj Rosales, PPA pool/File </span></span></span></div><div> </div><p>MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday challenged a group of retired military officers to file a formal complaint if they had evidence of an alleged “third force” plotting a coup against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</p><p>Teodoro said the Department of National Defense (DND) had not received information about such a plot.</p><p>“Wala. Alam mo, as responsible citizens, why don’t they execute the proper affidavit and file it with the law enforcement and prosecutorial law officials so it can be investigated properly? Kung meron talagang ebidensya,” Teodoro told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of a medical and dental mission in Laoac town, Pangasinan.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/3/philippine-military-chief-says-rejected-calls-to-oust-marcos-1750">Philippine military chief says rejected calls to oust Marcos</a></div><p>Retired military general Romeo Poquiz earlier claimed that the so-called third force could be planning what he described as a “Kudeta Me” plot.</p><p>Poquiz is the convener of the United People’s Initiative (UPI), a group of retired military officers that has called for Marcos to step down amid the corruption scandal in the government’s flood control projects.</p><p>“From the grapevine. This is what’s shaping up: ‘Kudeta Me’ by the so-called Third Force, then rule by civil military junta,” Poquiz posted on his social media account.</p><p>“Patriots in the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] must not allow this unconstitutional takeover of power,” he added.</p><p>The defense chief, however, said authorities have yet to see any proof supporting the claim.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/17/afp-tags-military-divide-rumors-disinformation-1617">AFP tags military divide rumors ‘disinformation’</a></div><div><iframe width="1022" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iTMMuRteSr0" title="Marcos urges new AFP officers for &#x27;loyalty only to the republic&#x27; | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><iframe width="1023" height="575" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pdx3b4gJanI" title="PH military probes list of gov&#x27;t officials, ex-generals in alleged coup plot vs Marcos | ANC" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday challenged a group of retired military officers to file a formal complaint if they had evidence of an alleged “third force” plotting a coup against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.</p>

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday challenged a group of retired military officers to file a formal complaint if they had evidence of an alleged “third force” plotting a coup against the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

‘Kudeta Me’ by ‘Third Force’?: Teodoro challenges retired military officers to file affidavit over alleged coup plot

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‘Kudeta Me’ by ‘Third Force’?: Teodoro challenges retired military officers to file affidavit over alleged coup plot

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 17, 2026 11:39 AM PHT

Read More:

Gibo

Kudeta Me

Third Force

coup plot

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Romeo Poquiz

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