MANILA – The three major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have said they have not monitored any recruitment activity within their ranks by groups aiming to overthrow the government, the spokesperson of the Philippine Army (PA) said Thursday.
"As far as the ranks of the PA is concerned, wala kaming namo-monitor na mga ganyang (we have not monitored such) issue, no recruitment, no intel reports that some or few of our army soldiers are planning to oust the President," Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva told reporters.
Villanueva added that as far as loyalty is concerned, the 96,000-strong Army solidly supports the Duterte administration.
"We work for the Constitution, we work for the sovereignty of the State. Nandun lagi tayo, nandun yung ating mandato (We are always there. That is our mandate.)," he added.
Villanueva noted that the Army’s morale is very high and it is focused on its primary mission, which is to protect the people and the state.
Meanwhile, Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson, Major Aristides Galang, echoed Villanueva’s sentiments.
"Wala naman kami sa (We do not have such in the) Air Force. So far sa Air Force, as of now, wala kaming nare-receive na ganun na may mga recruitment. At saka yung morale ng tao kasi ng Air Force very much na napakataas talaga because of the support na nakukuha natin sa government, with the taong bayan (We have not received any information about such recruitments and also, the morale of the Air Force personnel is very high because of the support we are getting from the government and the people)," he added.
Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson, Commander Jonathan Zata, likewise said that they have yet to detect any recruitment activity for any ouster plot.
"As far as the Navy is concerned, personally, I haven't met or heard or read any recruitment of that sort. Ang nababasa kong reports kasi yung mga ongoing activities, kagaya ng pagpapadala natin sa Vladivostok (Russia) kasi sabay-sabay yung exercises natin ngayon (What I have read is about the ongoing activities of the Navy, like the port call in Vladivostok, Russia. The exercises of the Navy personnel are being done simultaneously)," Zata said.
The Navy, he said, is busy with preparations for activities, such as the joint maritime training with the Brunei Navy and Australian Navy in Cebu and Zamboanga, respectively, and the ongoing relief operations in areas hit by Typhoon Ompong.
He added that the PN is also holding a maritime training activity with Royal Malaysian Navy forces in Fort San Felipe in Cavite.
On Thursday, Navy personnel also welcomed the JS Akebono (DD-108), a Murasame-class destroyer of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, at the Manila South Harbor. (PNA)
