A public interest group seeking to uphold the Constitution has called on public leaders to do more to defend the Republic and the Flag against the “existential threat” of fringe groups pushing for a “revolutionary government” and demanded that law enforcement agencies “arrest the proponents and self-styled revolutionaries.”
In a statement, lawyers of the Tagapagtanggol ng Watawat said mere declarations by the military and the police that they do not support a push for a revolutionary government “do not suffice.”
It said law enforcement agencies “must enforce the law” against those seeking to overthrow the Constitution.
“Calls for a Revolutionary Government are an existential threat to our Republic, an unspeakable abomination to our Democracy, a brazen affront to the Sovereign Filipino People,” said the group, which consists of Dean Jose Aguila Grapilon, Atty. Marlon Anthony R. Tonson and Atty. Arnel Victor C. Valeña.
It may be recalled that the group Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee—represented by national coordinator for revolutionary government committee Bobby Brillante and national spokesperson Atty. Francisco “Arlene” Buan—wrote no less than Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa to seek an audience in preparation for an August 22 assembly at the Clark Freeport.
MRRD-NECC’s launching event in Malolos City, Bulacan last July 25 was attended by Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño, as seen in a picture on its official Facebook page.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday cited the freedom of speech as a reason for not going after the advocates of a revolutionary government. “Mayroon naman po silang karapatan ng malayang pamamahayag so hayaan na po natin sila,” Roque said.
But, Tagapagtanggol ng Watawat rebutted that calls for a revolutionary government are “not protected speech, not being sheltered by the Constitution which the proponents seek to overthrow.”
“Such calls are made not by, nor of, nor for the Sovereign Filipino People,” the group said.
It said the “lukewarm response” of government officials “leave much wanting” and demanded that they “take action and protect and defend this Nation’s Constitution as they themselves have sworn to in their oaths of office.”
Tagapagtanggol ng Watawat stressed that a revolutionary government would contravene the Constitution as it seeks to “sweep away the safeguards, the checks and balances, and the limitations on State power.”
The group emphasized that “all government authority emanates from the sovereign Filipino people” and that leaders are selected by the people through elections, and not by other modes such as a revolutionary government, “for we enthrone no kings.”
“As free citizens, we owe fealty to the Constitution alone, never to those ensconced in privilege nor to the transient occupants of public office,” the group said. “Despots are anathema to our Democracy. We submit only to the rule of law, never to the rule of men.”
Lastly, the group also issued a call to all Filipino citizens to defend the Republic and the Flag.
“As Filipino citizens, we all have sworn our allegiance—as articulated in our Panatang Makabayan—to the Philippines as symbolized by our nation's flag, our Watawat. Ipagtanggol natin ang Republika ng Pilipinas, Ipagtanggol ang Watawat!” the group said.