MANILA – The Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) joined calls from government agencies and lawmakers to investigate Davao Del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez for his remarks urging the military to withdraw its support to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In a statement Monday night, the group, represented by its president board chairperson, retired Vice Adm. Emilio Marayag, said the lawmaker's statement during the April 14 rally in Tagum City, Davao del Norte is "a glaring attempt, in pursuit of a purely political end" to test the organizational ethos of the country's Armed Forces.
"As a reservist officer, he must have exercised prudence and restraint in expressing his position that deviates from the norms of conduct of an officer and a gentleman and violates certain laws of the land," AGFO noted.
The group also said it was not the first time Alvarez made comments contrary to the country's interest.
"Based on previous news accounts, Rep. Alvarez made efforts in 2005 for One People Mindanao movement to declare independence in response to a government initiative to vest broader opportunities to our brother Muslims' autonomous region," AGFO pointed out.
It added that the lawmaker renewed his call for Mindanao's independence in 2023, while the government was beefing up efforts to protect its maritime zones in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea).
"(Alvarez) Further proposed to educate people about his Mindanao independence advocacy," the group noted. (PNA)
