Senator Panfilo Lacson confirmed Wednesday there is basis for Malacanang’s apprehension over disgruntled factions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines suspected by President Duterte to be in collusion with opposition groups to destabilize the administration.
“There’s nothing unusual,” Sen. Lacson said in an interview, noting that while Mr. Duterte is seen to be “very supportive and consistently at that, upon his assumption lahat na goodwill binibigay niya sa armed forces, he cannot have 100% or absolute support from all the soldiers and officers.”
Lacson added: “Precisely there will be some elements na di talaga satisfied or for some reason related to advancement sa kanilang career, di rin talaga ganun ka-satisfied.
A former National Police Chief, the Senator surmised the disgruntled Armed Forces elements “are opening themselves up, they become vulnerable to possible recruitment.”
” But having said that, the president should not worry,” Lacson assured Mr. Duterte, explaining that “in our own assessment, he (Duterte) has the overwhelming support of the vast majority of the armed forces.”
Sen. Lacson assured that they understand Duterte’s frustration “for the reason sinabi ko kanina, lahat binuhos na niya, dinoble ang salary, lahat na ayuda sa Marawi, sa Mindanao, he even contributed at least P500M para sa prosthetics. If you recall, ang mga wounded at na-amputate, nag-provide siya kasi sabi niya I don’t want to see any member of the AFP na inutil, walang magawa. I think from his PSF, nag-provide siya ng pondo. So I can understand his frustration.
The Senator suggested that “being politically mature and having the experience he has in politics, I think he (Duterte) should understand he would not be able to get the support 100% of the armed services”
Asked if Malacanang needs to conduct a “loyalty check” in the AFP ranks, Lacson replied it is the AFP that “should be conducting loyalty check by way of counter-intelligence and other built-in mechanisms available to them, even without being directed by the President.”
“That should be automatic because if there is no loyalty check, they could have a bigger problem at hand,” the Senator said, adding: “I think they are doing that already.”
Asserting that the AFP “should be apolitical,” Lacson said soldiers should not “talk or collaborate” with political groups. “After all, the soldiers have only one commander-in-chief and that is the duly elected president.”
He warned that “sanctions” could be imposed on erring military officers proven to have violated the Constitution. “Once found and if evidence would warrant, they could face sanctions, administratively at the very least, for engaging in partisan politics.”
This even as Lacson acknowledged the possibility that certain disgruntled political groups were the ones who “approached” the AFP officers. “It could be either way. Kasi sabi ko nga hindi lahat na officers nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. Kasi ang pyramid ang apex ng AFP starting from the COS (Chief of Staff) isa lang, and then down the line di lahat mapagbibigyan. Those who feel they are more qualified than those who are getting promotions, siyempre maghahanap ng malalapitan, thinking probably na baka meron sila mas magandang chances kung under a different political leadership.”
Lacson admitted they have also been assessing the level of support for Mr. Duterte in the AFP ranks, as well as in the Philippine National Police. “We’ve been talking to many military officers, even police officers and most of them, almost all of them indicated they are happy with the way the President is treating the AFP and PNP. Spoiled nga eh. Remember buhos sweldo, benefits, lahat binibigay niya.”
Still, Lacson did not rule out the soldiers’ sympathy for former naval officer now Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who is dodging an arrest order after President Duterte revoked the amnesty granted to Trillanes for being one of the key leaders of failed military uprisings.
“We cannot avoid that,” the Senator said. “Hindi natin maiaalis. Siyempre may mistah rin siya may nakasama sa serbisyo. Meron din naniinwala sa kanyang cause, hindi natin maialis na nagsusuporta o nagsy-sympathize sa kanya.”
Lacson, however, advised Trillanes’ sympathizers in the Armed Forces that “they should adhere to the principles of the AFP. Di pwedeng nagsi-sympathize ka and overtly you will do something to express disgust sa CIC (Commander-In-Chief) mo. Di ba may principle sa loyalty, pagka nasa loob ka ng mainstream, you remain loyal. Now if you cannot remain loyal, you get out and start opposing.”