AFP dismisses call to oust Duterte

MANILA, Philippines - The military stands by the constitutionally mandated government and unequivocally supports the commander-in-chief, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declared yesterday as it dismissed a call from a shadowy group – supposedly comprising soldiers and policemen – for the ouster of President Duterte.

“The AFP categorically denies the recent issued by a group that pretends to be representative of the men and women of the AFP and the PNP (Philippine National Police) and called themselves the Patriotic and Democratic Movement (PADEM),” Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesman, said in a statement.

The same statement was read at Malacañang by presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella.

PADEM, in a statement issued Monday, condemned Duterte and held him accountable for betrayal of public trust and violation of national sovereignty and democratic rights of the Filipino people.

The group also accused President Duterte of treating the AFP and the PNP as his private armies.

The group also accused President Duterte of having a direct hand in extrajudicial killings as part of his anti-drug campaign. It also accused him of allowing China to occupy land features in the West Philippine Sea, as well as bungling anti-terror operations in Marawi City that resulted in the destruction of the city and the deaths of hundreds of civilians and fighting men.

A certain Antonio Bonifacio, who claimed to be the spokesman of the group, signed PADEM’s statement. In the statement, the group said it is now working for the withdrawal of military and police support from the Duterte administration.

“The accusations and issues cited 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,” Padilla said.

Padilla added that the issues raised by the group wishes were now being addressed by the Department of Justice and parties to wrongdoing are now under detention.

“Let us respect these processes and not allow ourselves to be used by individuals or groups with vested interests. We appeal for sobriety, reason and patience as we await the results of these processes,” Padilla said.

Soldiers, he said, are constitutionally mandated protectors of the people and will stand by law abiding citizens whenever and wherever they’re needed.Moreover, he said, they will not hesitate to act against forces out to undermine the stability and security of the country.

On Monday night, President Duterte stressed that he would welcome any attempt to oust him. The killing of 17-year old Kian delos Santos by policemen during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan had sparked calls for Duterte’s ouster or resignation. CCTV recording of the incident indicated Delos Santos killing was a rubout.

“They have a battle cry. Himagsikan (uprising)? Yes, go ahead… Do it. I will be glad if you do it because actually the system here is rotten and government also,” the President told reporters in Malacañang Park Monday night.

“I am encouraging you to take to the streets. Everybody…himagsikan is uprising. If you want that, go ahead. You have my blessing. Nobody will stop you in the streets,” he added. – With Alexis Romero, Christina Mendez