Army wants Barzaga delisted

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army has recommended the delisting of Cavite Rep. Francisco Barzaga from the reserve force for misconduct.

Barzaga, who was enlisted in January, holds the rank of private and is currently part of the National Capital Region Regional Defense Group Reserve Command.

“The decision is in response to Barzaga’s speeches and utterances on social media insinuating that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and reservists will join the Sept. 21 protest, declaring the loss of trust in the President by the AFP,” Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said yesterday.

“His actions were classified as a grave offense of ‘misconduct.’ The decision is limited to Barzaga’s status within the Army’s reserve force and has no impact on his rights as a civilian or elected official,” he added.

Using the AFP’s name to “insinuate hatred against the government and to join politically motivated protests, demonstrations and mass actions calling for the withdrawal of support for the administration” is unlawful, Dema-ala stressed.

Barzaga “made seditious statements online while wearing the AFP uniform in his public posts,” Dema-ala said.