Military plays down PADEM call for Duterte ouster

MANILA, Philippines — The military on Tuesday downplayed a call for Duterte's ouster by an alleged group of military and police officers, saying that the call is unconstitutional and politically motivated.

 

"The AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) categorically denies the recent statement issued by a group that pretends to be representative of the men and women of the AFP and the PNP (Philippine National Police) that calls itself the Patriotic and Democratic Movement (PADEM)," BGen. Restituto Padilla Jr., AFP spokesperson, said.

 

Last Monday, PADEM released a statement critical of the Duterte administration and accused him of "treating the AFP and the PNP as these were his private armies and practising favoritism and violating professional and service standards in the promotion and assignment of officers."

 

The group also criticized Duterte for the government's handling of the Marawi Crisis and the West Philippine Sea dispute. The group said the government has also condoned and protected top-level illegal drug lords and protectors while "inciting police officers to engage in extrajudicial killings of poor suspected illegal drug users and pushers by publicly telling officers to plant evidence and by guaranteeing their pardon and promotion in case of conviction."

 

"We pledge to work for the withdrawal of military and police support for Duterte and his administration in conjunction with mass mobilization of the Filipino people in millions to manifest their demand for the resignation or ouster of Duterte and his administration," PADEM said.

 

The alleged military representatives also said that the president has been corrupting the AFP and PNP through monetary rewards. 

 

PADEM called for Duterte's ouster "for betraying public trust in violation of public trust and in violation of national sovereignty and democratic rights of the people.”

 

BGen Padilla said the accusations and issues brought up by the group are unfounded and uncalled for.

 

"Such issues are clearly politically motivated and a matter that the AFP does not and will not subscribe to," he said.

 

Padilla also said that the military will not hesitate to act against forces who undermine the stability and security of the country and those who wish to destabilize the nation through unconstitutional means.

 

“Current developments and issues that this group wishes to take advantage of is now being addressed by the [Department of Justice] and parties to a possible crime are now under detention. Let us respect these processes and not allow ourselves to be used by individuals or groups with vested interests,” Padilla said.

 

“The AFP appeals to the public and the various political groups to respect the apolitical stance of the AFP and help bring unity and healing instead of fomenting divisiveness and collapse,” he added. — Patricia Yanga