Senate President Francis Escudero slammed the Duterte clan for dragging the Armed Forces of the Philippines into matters concerning the political family.
This statement came in response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s demand for the military to clarify why the Philippine National Police was given authority over Villamor Air Base during the arrest of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a briefing, Escudero said he observed a recurring trend among Duterte family members to seek support directly from the military on various matters.
“Alam mo, hindi ko rin ma-intindihan yung concern na yun ng ating Vice President. Maliban sa ito’y patuloy, pagpapatuloy ng tila mensahe na common sa kanila, na umaapila palagi sa sandatahang lakas, sa anumang level, anumang issue, anumang kaganapan,” Escudero said.
“Dahil hindi ko rin maunawaan kung ano yung apela niyang sinasabi kaugnay noon, na yung Presidential Security Command daw ay under ng AFP. Pero anong gusto niyang palabasin? Magbabangayan ang sundalo at ang pulis? Claro, law enforcement operation yun na nag-assist lamang ang AFP. At hindi pwedeng palagam naman na lumaban ang AFP sa kapulisan kaugnay sa law enforcement operation.Bakit ba natin pilit na pinag-aaway yung dalawa?,” he added.
Escudero said that the military is not responsible for stepping in or mediating politicians’ disagreements.
He also pointed out the AFP’s commitment to neutrality, adhering to the law and its chain of command, with the president at its highest authority.
“Marahil bahagi lamang ito sa constant na apela ng kanilang panig kaugnay sa Armed Forces of the Philippines. Na kampihan marahil sila o magkaroon ng posisyon o paninindigan sa ilan sa mga issue na involved sila,” Escudero said.
“Well, ulitin ko, ang tila pilit nilang dinadamay ang sandatahang lakas sa iba’t ibang isyu na hindi naman dapat talaga at wala namang isyu. Dahil facility man yan ng pulis, facility man yan ng sundalo, facility man yan ng executive branch o ng Kongreso, ang law enforcement operation ay law enforcement operation pa rin,” he added.
“Hindi dapat mangampi ang AFP kaninuman dapat tumayo sila sa likod ng chain of command at ng Saligang Batas sa ilalim ng commander-in-chief natin at hindi para sa kanila ang maglaro ng pulitika at pumabor sa isang kulay o kabilang kulay man,” Escudero also said.
Rodrigo Duterte has previously faced accusations of attempting to incite sedition by allegedly urging military personnel to act against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., though without explicitly calling for rebellion.
Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro, who was present at the Senate inquiry, addressed the issue, reaffirming that the military must remain subordinate to civilian authority.
Meanwhile, Sara Duterte is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, organizing the legal team for her father as he faces charges of crimes against humanity over his administration’s drug war, which reportedly led to between 6,000 and 30,000 deaths. (TCSP)
