Marcos to AFP: Be loyal to Constitution

MANILA, Philippines —  Amid speculations that anti-corruption protests could be hijacked to destabilize the government, President Marcos yesterday called on the military to uphold the rule of law.

Speaking to newly promoted military officers at Malacañang, Marcos said the soldiers’ oath is for the republic and Filipinos who have faith that they would live safely and with dignity.

“Today is not only a milestone, but a renewed pledge that your loyalty remains with the Constitution and the Filipino people. Always act with integrity, uphold the rule of law, defend our democracy,” the President said.

Several groups will gather along EDSA on Sept. 21 to hold the “Trillion Peso March” condemning anomalous flood control projects nationwide.

The protest date coincides with the 53rd anniversary of the martial law declaration by Marcos’ late father and namesake.

Organizers earlier clarified they will not seek Marcos’ ouster or resignation, yet rumors persist that people’s outrage might be exploited to fuel anti-government sentiment.

Security officials have not detected any direct threat to Marcos’ life, but the armed forces have been placed on red alert to foil any attempt to sow violence and instability.

At Tuesday’s press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the military and other uniformed personnel should not be dragged into protests and destabilization plots.

Marcos administered the oath of at least 40 newly promoted military officers, including Brig. Gen. Jude Ejercito, son of former president Joseph Estrada and chief of the 5th Air Force Wing Reserve.

“We must guard the peace we have gained and deepen our ties with partners who also envision a freer, more stable region,” Marcos said.

Schools, church join protest

Academic institutions are supporting protest rallies as Filipinos demand accountability and transparency amid anomalous infrastructure projects nationwide.

The University of Santo Tomas stressed that “in the face of corruption, silence is complicity; partiality is injustice.”

Ateneo de Davao University said the flood control scandal is a “symptom of systemic corruption that normalizes injustice, hardens consciences and poisons hope.”

Students and employees of the University of the Philippines Los Baños will walk out tomorrow following UPLB chancellor Jose Camacho Jr.’s endorsement.

UP Baguio students also walked out of their classrooms yesterday – a move supported by UPB chancellor Joel Addawe.

Claret School of Quezon City said “silence in the face of corruption is a betrayal of our mission and identity” as it upholds “honesty, integrity, transparency and good governance.”

Meanwhile, Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, president of Caritas Philippines, has asked nearby Catholic dioceses and archdioceses to send a contingent to EDSA Shrine on Sept. 21 and participate in the Trillion Peso March.

Led by the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation, the protest will be held amid anomalous flood control projects involving corrupt contractors and state officials.

Meanwhile, in his homily in Los Angeles, California, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David urged the Filipino community to pray as the country is being devoured by a “spiritual crocodile.”

David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, criticized politicians, engineers and contractors who “shamelessly plunder public funds while the poor are drowning in the floodwaters of corruption.”

Protect lives

The Philippine National Police yesterday defended its plan to deploy 50,335 PNP personnel nationwide.

Up to 23,201 police officers will secure Metro Manila as authorities expect at least 10,000 people joining demonstrations in Rizal Park.

“While we respect the right of every Filipino to peacefully express their views, our foremost duty is to protect lives and property,” PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

For its part, the Department of Labor and Employment yesterday urged workers joining the Trillion Peso March to keep the rally peaceful. – Evelyn Macairan, Mark Ernest Villeza, Bella Cariaso, Emmanuel Tupas, Mayen Jaymalin, Artemio Dumlao