No need for loyalty checks among police, military – President Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — Amid claims of destabilization plots against his administration, President Marcos does not see the need to conduct loyalty checks among the active members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In an interview in General Santos City on Friday, the President expressed his trust and confidence in the PNP and the AFP.

“I don’t see… we don’t have any reports in the ranks. Those who are retired may have, they are those who move, join the destab that are being orchestrated (against the administration),” Marcos said partly in Filipino when asked whether he intends to do a loyalty check on the PNP.

“But among our (active) policemen, especially the officer corps, we don’t see them engaging in politics,” Marcos said, adding that loyalty checks would not prove anything.

“I don’t know what loyalty check really is. What do you say to that person? ‘Are you loyal to me?’ Of course, the answer would be, ‘yes,’ isn’t it? Even if he’s not loyal to you. But we will look at the records,” the President said.

Marcos, meanwhile, has called on members of the PNP and AFP to remain professional and stay true to their sworn duties.

“My view is, even if you didn’t vote for me, it’s OK with me as long as you stay professional, do your job correctly. That’s all I ask of all the police, all the armed forces,” the Chief Executive said.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier claimed that two senior officials of the PNP are plotting to oust Marcos to make way for a takeover either by former president Rodrigo Duterte or his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Trillanes named Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, as one of the retired officers involved in the ouster plot, which is supposedly the fourth attempt against Marcos. Dela Rosa has denied Trillanes’ allegations.

The PNP has also denied any brewing destabilization plot against Marcos among its ranks.

According to PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil’s visits to various police headquarters are not a loyalty check on the ranks.

Fajardo said Marbil has been reminding police officers to stay apolitical, noting that there is no