Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday gave assurance that there is no reason for his men to join any destabilization plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Acorda issued the statement even as national security officials including the national security adviser and the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have also dismissed such alleged adventurism among the uniformed personnel.
“We are happy with our President. He is very much sensitive with the sentiments — with the plight — of our police officers. And I do believe even with the military,” Acorda said.
AFP chief Romeo Brawner, Jr. maintained that he was quoted out of context in news reports about alleged destabilization plot in the military against the Marcos leadership.
Brawner declined to comment further on the issue. “No more, no more, so that the controversy would fade away, “he told reporters seeking an interview with him.
Acorda pointed out that he was in constant communication with police officers to immediately address their grievances.
“All these issue are properly addressed and there is no reason to be demoralized ,and for the PNP members to actively participate in destabilization,” Acorda said.
During his watch, President Rodrigo Duterte raised the salaries in the uniformed services in 2019, but proposed reforms to the pension system for military and uniformed personnel prompted warnings of potential demoralization in the ranks.
Acorda said over the weekend that the issues with pension reform had already been settled.
Meanwhile, former Senator Panfilo Lacson, himself a former PNP chief, said talks about alleged destabilization plot was triggered by the so-called TNTrio rally, mostly participated in by retired uniformed personnel in support of former Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Eliseo Rio’s crusade for future clean and honest elections.”
Lacson explained that the protest was primarily against Smartmatic and the Commission on Elections for alleged failure and refusal to clarify the 20 million votes mysteriously counted over an unbelievably short period of time.
Brawner on Monday led the opening ceremony of the AFP Joint Exercise “DAGITPA” 2023 at Camp Aguinaldo.
Over 1,500 active and reserve forces from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Special Operations Command, and Cyber Group were expected to take part in the exercises, including elements of the PNP and the Philippine Coast Guard.
In his remarks, Brawner urged the participants to take the drills seriously, adding that in the event the country faces any national emergency situation, everybody should be prepared.
“Together, we will harness the power of seamless collaboration across our branches of service. We will demonstrate to the world that we are a force to be reckoned with. Strive to surpass our own expectations and redefine the limits of what is possible,” the AFP chief said.
During the press briefing, Brawner clarified that he did not specifically refer to any particular enemy, but he emphasized the need for preparedness in the event of war.
“When we talk about adversaries, we are not referring to specific country. And, as I mentioned, not only man-made, even natural calamities, disasters we have to prepare for,” he said.
According to the AFP, the exercise will focus on territorial defense, maritime security, and counter-terrorism.
The AFP also said they will establish a Cyber command to combat fake news and other forms of misinformation.
The Joint Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise and Urban Operations will be conducted in Paoay and Burgos, Ilocos Norte on November 15.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Exercises Dagat-Langit-Lupa (AJEX DAGITPA) officially opened today at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City in a ceremony presided by Brawner.
AJEX DAGITPA will involve more than 1500 active and reserve forces from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Special Operations Command and Cyber Group in staff, command post, cyber defense, and field training events in the Northern Luzon Command area of responsibility that will last until November 17.