PNP mulls charges vs. retired generals calling for coup, junta – Brawner
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is reviewing possible criminal charges against people urging the Armed Forces of the Philippines to stage a coup, withdraw support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., or form a military junta, AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Friday, October 24.
The PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is studying potential cases against not only retired generals but all individuals urging military intervention, Brawner said in a radio interview with DZRH.
"Although they're not using those exact words, they're calling on the AFP to intervene," Brawner added. "I really hope we don't even think about this because if the Armed Forces gets involved, it won't be good for our country."
Retired generals led by former AFP Maj. Gen. Jacinto Poquiz met with Brawner on September 20, a day before two major anti-corruption rallies were held at Luneta and EDSA.
Brawner said one of the retired generals told him that if the AFP refused to act against corruption, “they themselves would take up arms.”
He added that he granted the meeting out of respect for their prior service but made clear that the AFP would not take part in any political intervention.
“Of course, we in the AFP are also against corruption,” Brawner said. “But if the Armed Forces gets involved like in EDSA I or EDSA II, only three things can happen — a coup d’état, a withdrawal of support from the president, or a military junta."
"Any of these three will not be good for our country because our economy will be affected and our international standing will suffer. No one will lend us money or they will freeze our assets," the AFP chief added.
Brawner said he reported the meeting to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and President Marcos, who told him to monitor the situation. “We respect freedom of speech,” he said, “but calling on the AFP to intervene in politics is not right.”
When asked if the retired generals' actions constitute inciting to sedition, Brawner said they are examining that possibility. "We're looking at that, studying it," he said.
Monitoring morale
Anti-corruption rallies have been held regularly since the September 21 demonstrations, several of which are organized or initiated by youth groups and student leaders.
While the AFP does not consider such protests to be part of a destabilization plot, Brawner said rally organizers should not recruit active military personnel.
The public, Brawner said, should “shield the Armed Forces from political issues” and not drag the military into disputes over corruption or governance.
A spokesperson of the Philippine Navy warned earlier this week that disinformation tactics similar to those China uses in the West Philippine Sea are now being deployed domestically to discredit the AFP and stir unrest among retired soldiers.
Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a previous report there had been "an attempt to agitate some of our military and uniformed personnel retirees, organize them and eventually mobilize them."
Brawner said the AFP leadership continues to monitor troop morale amid online talk of discontent with the Marcos administration. He said he has been visiting camps across the country to personally appeal to soldiers to “always remain disciplined and professional.”
“We are closely monitoring our troops,” he said. “I go around our camps, talking to our soldiers, reminding them to stay disciplined and professional.”
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