Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson confirmed on Sunday that there are active efforts to recruit members of the uniformed services for a military-backed “people power revolution,” though he remains confident these attempts will fail.
Speaking in a radio interview, the veteran lawmaker revealed that while a movement exists, it appears to be driven primarily by individuals outside the current chain of command.
“There is definitely an attempt but this is outside the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” Lacson noted.
He clarified that those spearheading the initiative have seen very little success in penetrating the active ranks of the military.
“Those behind this could only recruit a few, if at all, from inside the AFP,”
According to information obtained by the senator, the primary agitators are retired officers attempting to exert influence over their former colleagues. However, Lacson emphasized that these efforts have failed to gain any significant momentum.
He further noted that his sources within the Philippine National Police (PNP) have reported no signs of the movement expanding.
“My contacts in the Philippine National Police say there is no indication this ‘movement’ will snowball,” Lacson said, adding, “But definitely there is an attempt, mostly by retired officers.”
Drawing from his extensive career in both the military and the police, Lacson expressed his belief that the internal professionalism of the country’s security forces serves as a bulwark against such destabilization plots.
He argued that as long as the institution remains focused on its mandate, there is no justification for a transition to a military-led government or a mass uprising.
“So long as the AFP is professional and I would like to believe it is, there is no compelling reason to have a military junta or another People Power revolution,” he concluded.