A group of retired generals and flag officers has warned active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against heeding calls to withdraw support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. over corruption allegations involving flood control projects.
The Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) said any extra-constitutional action, such as forming a military junta, would constitute a “catastrophic betrayal of our democracy” that could gravely harm the economy, the country’s global standing, and the lives of Filipinos.
“Any extra-constitutional move, such as a military junta, would be a catastrophic betrayal of our democracy. It would betray the very democratic principles we spent our careers defending and invite devastating consequences,” said retired Major General Gerardo Layug, AGFO president and chairman of the board of trustees, in a statement released Saturday, October 25.
Layug said that while the AGFO stands with the public in condemning corruption in government, launching a coup or any unconstitutional action is not the solution to the nation’s political problems.
“To peacefully demand accountability from public officials is a protected democratic right. To exploit these legitimate public sentiments to advance a separate, unconstitutional agenda is a betrayal of the very people and the institutions we are sworn to protect,” the retired general emphasized.
Earlier, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. met with a group of retired officers who aired their grievances over alleged corruption in flood control projects.
According to reports, some of the retirees urged the AFP to take action by launching a military junta, staging a coup, or withdrawing support for their commander-in-chief, President Marcos.
However, Brawner firmly rejected the proposal, warning that any participation in extra-constitutional activities could lead to criminal and administrative charges.