No need for loyalty check: AFP

THE military yesterday said there is no need to check the loyalty of its personnel as it continues to investigate efforts to destabilize the Marcos administration.

“That is not needed at this time,” Armed Forces spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said in a radio interview, stressing that soldiers in active service remain professional.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., while reiterating his unity thrust before soldiers of the AFP Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City last Friday, mentioned talks about destabilization efforts, saying some want President Marcos Jr. replaced for many reasons.

“Some are saying there should be another coup d’état. And sadly some of them were former officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Brawner said in his speech.

Brawner said he even talked to former officers and told them that while they have the right to call for a change in national leadership, they should not involve soldiers in the active service.

He also urged soldiers not to join such efforts. He vowed to act “swiftly but judiciously” on soldiers in active service found involved such efforts.

On Saturday, Brawner said his remarks in Zamboanga City were taken out of context. What he said, according to Brawner, is that he heard talks about destabilization efforts. He said he “did not mention a destabilization plot” because that would mean there is already a plot which is up for execution or implementation.

Brawner said there were calls for soldiers to join rallies during the 51st anniversary of the declaration of martial law last September 21.

“That was the context of what I said yesterday (Friday), that soldiers should not join these kinds of activities, like rallies. It was as simple as that. I did not mention any destabilization plot,” said Brawner.

He said he was merely reminding the soldiers to “take our oath seriously that we would protect the Constitution and the duly-constituted authorities.”

Yesterday, Aguilar said soldiers have been “enlightened” about recent military-related issues, including the military and uniformed personnel pension system, “that’s why there is no reason for them to join such movement.”

“We believe that our soldiers — with the guidance