DND, AFP slam ‘baseless’ coup rumors, warn public vs disinfo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have dismissed as "outrightly preposterous" and "dangerous disinformation" recent claims of a supposed coup plot involving Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and the United States Central Intelligence Agency.

In a statement on Thursday, September 25, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the allegation of a DND-led coup plot was another "desperate attempt to propagate falsehood and sow discord among our people."

"The latest lie of a destabilization/coup plot is outrightly preposterous and achieves nothing other than create confusion and pander to the adversarial narratives against the national government," Andolong said.

The DND spokesperson stressed that both the department and AFP "remain faithful to the country, our Constitution, and our democratic institutions." 

He also urged the public to stay vigilant against "disinformation and malign influence perpetrated by foreign and local entities who seek to divide rather than unite us."

The AFP, in a separate advisory on Thursday, warned Filipinos against sharing or further circulating claims of a coup, which it described as a "vile and malicious fabrication."

"This is an outright lie," the AFP said.

"The AFP categorically states that this is dangerous disinformation—a deliberate attempt to poison the minds of our people, weaken the chain of command, and sow division between the commander-in-chief and the Armed Forces," it added.

The AFP stressed that it "remains loyal to the Constitution and will follow the chain of command," calling on citizens not to believe, share, or amplify false claims.

Those sharing the claims are "traitors working to undermine peace, stability, and the integrity of our democratic institutions," the AFP said.

A screenshot of the circulating message claims that Teodoro was working in tandem with the military and American intelligence agents to remove the president from office.

Specifically, it reads, in part:

"The CIA is cooking something. AFP will launch a coup headed by Secretary of Defense Gilbert Teodoro to remove Marcos. Then Teodoro will head a Caretake Government with Gen. Romeo Brawner as Secretary of Defense."

Social media posts alluding to the supposed plan to remove Marcos from office made rounds shortly after the mass demonstrations last Sunday against widespread corruption in government.