Marcos Jr. to military: Don’t be deceived, stay focused

MANILA, Philippines — Amid a worsening rift with the Dutertes, President Marcos reminded the military yesterday to remain true to its mission of protecting the Filipino people and not be distracted by the current political noise.

“Huwag kayong nalilinlang sa mga nangyayari (Do not be deceived by what is happening). Let’s stay focused,” Marcos said in his message to officers and troops of the Southern Luzon Command at Camp Guillermo Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon.

This was his apparent response to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s calling on the military to correct Marcos’ “fractured governance.”

“For me, when there’s a lot of noise around, I always think what my job really is. Is it my job to pick a fight, or is it to debate on nonsensical matters? No, my work is to make the Philippines better. In your case, you also have your mission,” Marcos said in Filipino.

“So, don’t – if you are confused, just think, remember: what is my mission? What is my mission? Your mission is to defend the people and the Republic – the people of the Republic of the Philippines and the state of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said. “Let’s keep that mission clear in our mind.”

The President directed troops to use their resources for the “territorial security aspect of your new mission.”

“Keep up the good work. And we will get to that point where we can say that we can already transition fully, or at least the majority of our resources can transition already to the defense of our territory,” Marcos said.

During his visit, Marcos awarded medals to five soldiers namely, Army 1Lt. Billy Canacan (Gold Cross), 2Lt. Green Marc Augusto (Gold Cross), Maj. Bryann Oria (Silver Cross), 1Lt. Merjoerie Ballesteros (Silver Cross) and Air Force TS/gt. Noli Lomeda (Bronze Cross).

With the President were Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

The AFP earlier said there is no need for a loyalty check within its ranks.

“What we are emphasizing here is that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a non-partisan organization. As our chief of staff has already stated, our Armed Forces is united and professional,” according to AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla.

“Our loyalty is to the flag and to the Constitution and we adhere to the chain of command,” she said.

In a late-night online press conference on Monday, the former president sought the military and police’s intervention to “protect the Constitution” amid what he described as a “fractured” government. Duterte, however, stopped short of calling for a coup.

The former leader described the country as currently in a state of “hemorrhage” under the administration of Marcos.

Duterte said everything is now up to the military if they want to continue serving a President who he alleged is “addicted to illegal substances.”

“How does the military protect the Constitution? By protecting a ‘drug addict’ President?” Duterte said.

“If you want a redress of grievance, there is no urgent remedy. It is only the military who can correct it,” he added.

Duterte’s tirades came in the wake of Congress’ move to conduct an all-out investigation on his daughter, who earlier had claimed contracting a hitman to kill the President, First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez if a supposed plot to kill her succeeds.

Duterte is also under investigation by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity in the implementation of his drug war during his presidency.