Jonathan Frederic De Santos

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Military Colors are presented during the PMA Alumni Homecoming in Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City on Feb.18, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

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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/17788392327631778839230944.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Military Colors are presented during the PMA Alumni Homecoming in Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City on Feb.18, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s appeal for support from fellow Philippine Military Academy alumni will not affect how active-duty troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines peform their duties.</p><p>Dela Rosa made the appeal following the International Criminal Court’s confirmation of an arrest warrant against the former Philippine National Police chief in connection with alleged extrajudicial killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.</p><p>Dela Rosa, a chief architect of the drug war, served as PNP chief from 2016 to 2018.</p><p>“That probably will influence those that are retired — for political support. But those in the ranks are professional. This will not affect them,” Teodoro told reporters in Gamu, Isabela.</p><p>The defense chief was in Isabela to attend the 45th anniversary of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/15/doj-confirms-icc-arrest-warrant-vs-dela-rosa-1625">DOJ: Dela Rosa will be arrested if he tries to leave PH<br/></a></div><p>Teodoro stressed that Dela Rosa’s call for support should be treated as a law enforcement matter rather than a military or national defense concern.</p><p>“Very clear sa AFP na they have learned the lessons of improper meddling of the AFP in politics,” he also said.</p><p>(It is very clear to the AFP that they have learned the lessons of improper meddling in politics.)</p><p>He added calls for the military to stage an uprising or intervene in political issues have no legal basis.</p><p>“The AFP is the protector. [Such calls are a] gross and mistaken misinterpretation of the Constitution,” he said, adding the military is supposed to be apolitical.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/15/cayetano-padilla-osaa-head-must-explain-bato-disappearance-nbi-chief-1307">Persons of interest? Cayetano, Padilla, OSAA head must explain Bato &#x27;disappearance&#x27;—NBI chief<br/></a></div><p>He added there are no credible destabilization threats “in the active duty ranks of the AFP where my jurisdiction lies.”</p><p>He added operations in the AFP and the Department of National Defense are unaffected by the current political climate.</p><p>“Hindi naman inaalis na meron itong epekto sa stability climate ng ating bansa. Pero sa hanay ng aming departamento at AFP, which is only my jurisdiction, ito ay hindi nakakaapekto sa professionalism at tutok ng ating mga kawani,” he added.</p><p>(We do not discount that this affects the country&#x27;s stability climate, but in the department and the AFP, it will not affect the professionalism and focus of our personnel.)</p><div><br/></div><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/9bBFUH0D9FU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s appeal for support from fellow Philippine Military Academy alumni will not affect how active-duty troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines peform their duties.</p>

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s appeal for support from fellow Philippine Military Academy alumni will not affect how active-duty troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines peform their duties.

Bato's plea to PMA alumni 'won't affect' troops — Teodoro

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Bato's plea to PMA alumni 'won't affect' troops — Teodoro

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 15, 2026 06:10 PM PHT

|

Updated May 15, 2026 06:13 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of National Defense

Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Ronald Dela Rosa

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