Military won't participate in any political action: spox

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 27): Military won't participate in any political action: spox

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will never participate in political actions aimed against duly-constituted authorities, its spokesman said Thursday.

"We will never allow ourselves in the ranks of the active service to take direct or indirect participation in any political actions against the present duly-constituted authorities," Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

Arevalo assured the public that the AFP is a professional organization that subscribes to the Constitution that it has sworn to uphold and defend.

"We respect the rule of law and court decisions and processes. This includes the case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. The matter is already in the purview of the courts. And to the civil courts we defer. We will not issue further statements related to the case," he said.

The AFP, he said, respects the courts and observes due process.

"Every soldier, airman, sailor, and marine in the active service is loyal to the Constitution, adherent to the rule of law, and solidly behind of the Chain of Command," he added.

Arevalo reminded troops of AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez’s order that military personnel found guilty of such acts will be immediately relieved of their posts, investigated, and meted stiff penalties.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1049282