Galvez: Plotting coup a thing of the past in AFP

MANILA, Philippines —  Coup plotting is a thing of the past in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said yesterday.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum in Malate, Manila, Galvez described the AFP as a professional organization committed to staying away from politicking.

“I believe that coup d’etat is a thing of the past,” he said. “The Armed Forces are very faithful and loyal to the Constitution. And they are also faithful to the chain of command.”

He noted that coup-mongering nowadays seems to come mostly from retired military officers and urged them not to interfere with the AFP’s leadership.

“Let us give the young leaders a chance through the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We should not allow ourselves to meddle with the chain of command,” he said.

Galvez once took part in a military coup attempt during former president Cory Aquino’s administration.

In a related development on coup mongering, the Philippine National Police denied reports circulating on social media claiming that acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. had urged uniformed services to turn against President Marcos.