The Philippines’ military leadership has firmly rejected calls from some retired officers to remove President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., emphasizing the armed forces’ commitment to constitutional order and national stability.
Armed Forces chief Romeo Brawner Jr. confirmed that retired officers engaged in “recruitment activities” and directly reached out to him, urging military intervention to unseat Marcos. The proposal reportedly included orchestrating a coup, but Brawner expressed confidence that the ranks would not act on such appeals.
“I was confident that none of us will heed the call to intervene because of the professionalism that we have reached,” Brawner said. He added that any military interference would set the nation back years and could prompt investors to withdraw, highlighting the economic stakes tied to political stability.
Brawner noted that the grievances behind the retirees’ actions were largely directed against Marcos himself. The president has been publicly at odds with his former ally, Vice President Sara Duterte, particularly over political disagreements and ongoing investigations into former President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces international scrutiny for alleged crimes during his administration’s drug war.
The Marcos administration has also intensified anti-corruption efforts, focusing on government flood-control projects. These measures, coupled with growing public dissatisfaction, sparked widespread street protests last month, reflecting broader frustration over graft and accountability in governance.
Despite these challenges, the military’s refusal to intervene underscores a deliberate effort to maintain institutional professionalism and support a stable political environment in the Philippines.
