Marcos says no politicking in the active service
President Marcos said he has not received any reports of a destabilization plot involving active police officials even as he did not rule out the possibility that some retired officers might be part of the efforts against his administration.
“We don’t have a report (of destabilization) in the ranks,” Mr. Marcos said during the sidelines of the distribution of over P110 million in financial assistance to El Niño-affected farmers and fisherfolk in General Santos, South Cotabato, and Sarangani provinces.
“It could be possible that some retired officials could take part in or be joining destabilization efforts. But in the police service, especially the officer corps, we don’t see any politicking,” the commander-in-chief added.
Mr. Marcos urged the police and military to stay committed to their oath and to put aside political differences.
“Even if you didn’t vote for me, it’s fine with me as long as you’re professional. Just do your job right. That’s all I ask for from all police, from the armed forces,” the President said.
Earlier this week, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV accused retired and high-ranking officials of the Philippine National Police of plotting against President Marcos.
He said these police officials were actively recruiting members of the military.
“Some active and retired PNP officials have been identified as behind the destabilization efforts. Based on our information, the said officials have already been identified, making it hard for them to move,” Trillanes said.
He, however, admitted that no one from the Armed Forces of the Philippines had joined the ranks of destabilizers.
Pressed to point out who was masterminding the plot, Trillanes quipped: “Duterte camp.”
“It goes without saying. They would not move without Duterte’s imprimatur. And we can see it in his public pronouncements. These are statements meant to agitate, to incite sedition and rebellion,” he said.
The PNP, for its part, quickly belied the former senator’s claim and appealed to him to spare the police from politicking.
“We have not monitored any police officer who is involved in this so-called destabilization plot and we have not monitored any destabilization plot for that matter,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.