Destabilization efforts may be foreign-funded – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday called for a probe into the alleged destabilization plot backed by foreign funders, saying such an effort, if proven to be true, constitutes an act of treason against the nation.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said other countries should not meddle in Philippine politics.

“If it is true and if the investigation reveals that the rally was foreign-funded, we can say that it is an act of treason against the nation. Other countries should not interfere with our affairs. Other countries should not interfere with our politics,” the Palace press officer said at a briefing.

“Whatever clashes with the interest of our country should be investigated,” she added.

Castro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is working with the police to look into the alleged foreign-funded destabilization effort.

During a press briefing last Wednesday, AFP spokesman Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the military is looking at all possible leads with regard to the recent protest of the United People’s Initiative, at EDSA.

Among the angles being checked is the possible involvement of foreign funders in the rally, whose participants included retired soldiers.

“Hopefully, these kinds of activities will not deepen if funded by other countries,” Castro said.

As the government faces controversies arising from the multibillion-peso flood control fiasco, officials of the League of Provinces of the Philippines were scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Marcos to express their support for his administration.

The local officials were expected to meet with the President yesterday to express their backing for key legislative proposals under his leadership and reaffirm their confidence in his vision for national development.

Castro said Marcos is thankful to the league for their trust and is committed to sustain efforts to promote accountability, transparency and responsible use of the national budget.

‘AFP to safeguard  democracy’

The Armed Forces of the Philippines reaffirmed yesterday “the steadfast commitment of its combatant commanders to uphold the Constitution, safeguard democratic institutions, and ensure that all public assemblies across the country remain peaceful, lawful, and secure for every Filipino.”

In a united declaration, the heads of the military’s combatant commands declared that the AFP “remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law and ensure full respect for civilian authority.”

The statement comes amid continuing and increasing campaigns, protest actions, and efforts to stop and combat corruption in government following more recent exposes on the flood control and infrastructure project anomalies.

“The AFP emphasizes that the right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of democracy, one that must be respected and facilitated, provided it is exercised responsibly, peacefully, and without compromising public safety,” the military said.

“As the nation navigates a critical juncture in its democratic journey, the AFP assures the Filipino people that it remains a professional, disciplined, and non-partisan institution,” it added.

The AFP said it “stands as a steadfast guardian of the Republic, fully committed to preserving democratic institutions, supporting lawful civic expression, and safeguarding the welfare of every Filipino.”

It also called on all sectors of society “to work together in maintaining a climate of peace and order, where freedoms and rights are exercised responsibly, and where civic engagement strengthens rather than undermines national stability.”

“Let this serve as a firm reminder: the AFP is united, resolute, and unwavering in its duty to defend the nation and protect every Filipino’s right to live in a secure, stable, and free society,” the AFP said.

The AFP has repeatedly rejected calls for it to involve itself in current political issues hounding the Marcos administration stressing that it will not let itself be affected by political noise and will remain focused on its mandate.

It has dismissed calls for military intervention and rumors of unrest among uniformed personnel while strongly giving assurance that the AFP will continue to remain professional and non-partisan.

PNP beefs  up security

In response to the wave of hoax bomb threats that hit schools and communities, acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered police units to bolster visibility in their areas of jurisdiction.

Nartatez said yesterday they are strengthening security operations amid what appears to be a series of coordinated bomb scares across the country.

Apart from campuses, Nartatez said police officers must also bolster their presence in other places of convergence to deter people from sowing fear.

“I have tasked our local police on the ground to intensify police presence in schools and other areas of convergence following the recent spike in bomb threats in the past days,” he said in a statement.

Nartatez expressed concern over a surge of bomb threats which prompted not only class suspensions but also evacuation of communities. Among these were eight schools in Iloilo and a campus in Digos City in Davao del Sur, which were targeted by bomb threats on Monday.

Classes at the Bagumbong National High School in Barangay Bagumbong in Jalajala, Rizal were disrupted on Tuesday when the school administration received a bomb threat from a certain Marcky Gutierrez on its social media account.

Over the weekend, a village in Ormoc City in Leyte was also hit by a bomb scare.

Nartatez has ordered an investigation to unmask and hold accountable the people behind the bomb scares.

Despite the disruptions, Nartatez assured the public they are prepared to respond to any threat.

Corruption scandal weakening nation

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. admitted yesterday that the corruption scandal that has been fueling protest actions coupled with current political issues is weakening the country.

He said the people are waiting for concrete action and this should be carried out fast since delays would intensify public distrust.

Teodoro also admitted that there are sectors including retired military officials who are pushing the AFP to resort to unconstitutional means of intervention but again assured the public that it will never happen.

On the political issue including Sen. Imee Marcos’ recent attacks on her younger brother President Marcos, he said it seems personal and he does not think that it will result in bigger protest actions.

But Teodoro said the investigation on the corruption scandal should be fast and impartial with those accused also given the chance to defend themselves while the state exercises its power to prosecute according to law. –  Michael Punongbayan, Emmanuel Tupas