Jamaine Punzalan

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits the 80 uniformed personnel who conducted the Philippine rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal, including Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo of the Philippine Navy, who lost his right thumb during a maritime clash with China last June 17 at the Western Command in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Kj Rosales, PPA pool/File

Article (news)

MARCOS

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177744111804820240623-marcos-ph-navy-west-ph-sea-PPA.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visits the 80 uniformed personnel who conducted the Philippine rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to Ayungin Shoal, including Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo of the Philippine Navy, who lost his right thumb during a maritime clash with China last June 17 at the Western Command in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on Sunday, June 23, 2024. Kj Rosales, PPA pool/File</div><div> </div>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) downplayed claims of a supposed destabilization effort involving retired military officers, saying there was no validated information to support the allegations and that ongoing military exercises remained unaffected.AFP spokesperson Colonel Xerxes Trinidad stressed that reports of a destabilization plot against the government should be verified before being taken seriously.“Information needs to be validated. Sana huwag tayong makinig sa speculations… As of now, we have not received any reports,” Trinidad told reporters on the sidelines of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) drills in San Antonio, Zambales on Tuesday.The Palace on Monday<a href="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/news/nation/2026/4/27/palace-wants-probe-on-alleged-power-grab-plot-1503"> urged law enforcement agencies to look </a>into Senator Panfilo Lacson’s claim that some retired military officers were allegedly recruiting support from within the military for a possible “people power revolution.”Malacañang said the matter warranted investigation, noting that such rumors have circulated in the past.“Matagal na pong balita iyan. Matagal na nilang gustong magsagawa ng destabilization laban sa ating Pangulo, hindi na po iyan bago,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.Despite the issue, the AFP maintained that its operations and activities—including the annual Balikatan Exercise—continued as planned. “Our exercises are pre-planned a year before. Even after this Balikatan Exercise, we will continue with the 42nd iteration already. We will be starting with the 42nd iteration. It’s a whole year planning for the execution next year,” Trinidad said.According to Trinidad, alleged destabilization efforts have had no impact on the military’s posture.“We are not affected. All our forces are here. There are exercises being conducted in the Palawan, Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in the entire country. Your AFP is committed to do these exercises with our partners and allies,” he added.The official further rejected the notion that the rumors could distract or discourage partner nations participating in joint exercises.“Irrelevant ang question that there’s distraction,” he said. “You can see the commitment and it has been increasing. From only the Philippines and the US, we now have seven countries participating in the Balikatan.”“It has not deterred our partners and like-minded nations, but rather, confirmed and solidified their participation in the Balikatan,” he added. Despite the political noise, Trinidad reiterated the military “is a professional organization.”“We are disciplined, committed, and loyal to the Constitution and the Chain of Command,” he said. “We are always focused on our mission.”<div> </div>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) downplayed claims of a supposed destabilization effort involving retired military officers, saying there was no validated information to support the allegations and that ongoing military exercises remained unaffected.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) downplayed claims of a supposed destabilization effort involving retired military officers, saying there was no validated information to support the allegations and that ongoing military exercises remained unaffected.

Military power grab? AFP says no validated destabilization threat

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Military power grab? AFP says no validated destabilization threat

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 29, 2026 01:41 PM PHT

Read More:

destabilization

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Senator Panfilo Lacson

retired military officers

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