- FPRRD to AFP: ‘How long will you protect a drug addict?;
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte challenged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to protect the Constitution and fix the mess as the country faces a “fractured governance” due to weak leadership and corrupt politicians.
“The people have nowhere to turn. Imagine, at one point, there was an order to transfer OVP chief of staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez to a correctional institution. If that had gone through, it would have shown the fracture in governance. It’s not just a small break,” Duterte said.
He said nobody can correct President Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez since it “will take years to reach the Supreme Court” if they file a case.
“If you want redress for grievances, there is no urgent remedy. The only one who can fix this is the military. I’ve been president, and I saw the situation. If the president is facing so many mistakes and there’s a fracture in governance, it’s only the military who can correct it.”
“I’m saying it clearly: Only the military can fix this,” Duterte added.
He said soldiers don’t have to stage a coup, overthrow the government, and establish a junta. Instead, they could only stop cooperating as a form of silent protest, telling the Marcos administration, “We don’t want to play your game anymore.’”
“Without the military, the game is over,” he said.
“If the military stands up and says, ‘You are oppressing the people, spending our money recklessly, and even threatening our future retirement benefits,’ that’s not a coup. They’re just rejecting the system.”
“The military should stand up and say, ‘Don’t involve us. We and our families have jobs in government that are at stake. Look at how much money has been taken from the GSIS and PhilHealth. And where did the 25 tons of gold reserve go? It was sold for P129 billion,’” Duterte said.
The former president also emphasized that the AFP chief of staff must be aware of what’s happening in the country.
“He’s been asleep for a long time. He should know that his commander-in-chief is using drugs. Everyone knew about it before, maybe he didn’t,” Duterte claimed.
Duterte to the Military and Police: How Long Will You Protect a Drug Addict?
“Let me ask you sincerely, military and police, will you continue to support a drug addict? You know this. Just ask the Presidential Security Command, they’re all military personnel. You didn’t go far. Your people in the military know this,” Duterte said.
“How long will you continue to protect a drug addict as president?” he asked.
“Under the constitutional provision of the right to be heard, you have to answer. The right to be heard and the right to be informed are important. These are constitutional provisions,” Duterte emphasized.
He added, “Mr. General in the military, the right of the people to seek redress for grievances is something only you can provide right now.”
“I’m not challenging anyone, I’m challenging the military itself—the entire military. You are supposed to be the protectors of the Constitution.”
“Now, tell me: If you’re the protectors of the Constitution, are you still willing to protect a drug addict as president for another four years?”
“And if you say you didn’t know, don’t lie. You knew it before, and you know it now. Just say it. If that’s the case, I’ll tell the youth of the Philippines: Follow the president’s example—start smoking marijuana and shabu. After all, the president is doing it. He’s the best example.”
“The people are looking at me because the president hasn’t done anything to stop this. At the very first sign of trouble, he should have acted.”
AFP Responds
Recently, the AFP issued a statement reiterating its loyalty to the Constitution and the chain of command.
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said, “We are facing greater challenges that require the strength of a united country and armed forces. As a cornerstone of national stability, the AFP shall remain non-partisan, with utmost respect for our democratic institutions and civilian authority,” he added.
“We call for calm and resolve, and for everyone to hold on to our values of respect and nationalism, which will guide us in these trying times. We reiterate the need to stand together against those who will try to break our bonds as Filipinos,” Brawner concluded.
Duterte on Cha-Cha attempts
Duterte also commented on the administration’s efforts to amend the Constitution.
“What’s happening now is something serious. Those in power, in Congress and the presidency, are working together to change the Constitution. They want to transition Speaker Martin to a parliamentary prime minister and reduce the president to a ceremonial role,” Duterte said.
“This is where things are getting really chaotic,” he added.
When asked how he, as a former President, could help the people in this situation, Duterte responded, “I’ve said it before: there’s a fracture in the governance under Marcos. It can’t be fixed from within. The only one who can correct it is the military. How? I don’t know.”
“They are the protectors of the Constitution, so it’s up to them.”
When asked if the military won’t take action, Duterte sarcastically replied, “Well, let’s applaud the military. We’ll applaud them for doing nothing.”
When asked if they were afraid[military], he said, “I didn’t say that.”
“So, Brawner is a non-reactive soldier. It depends on how he looks at it. If he’s for the country, he will insist on doing what’s right. If not, then we have no choice but to accept it,” Duterte concluded.
Photos courtesy of Bing Gonzales/ AFP
