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Armed Forces of the Philippines Reaffirms Loyalty to Marcos Administration Amid False Claims
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has firmly denied viral social media claims that it has withdrawn support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in favor of Vice President Sara Duterte. Military officials have dismissed the allegations as baseless and potentially destabilizing.
The false narrative, which circulated widely last week garnering over 1,300 reactions and numerous shares, emerged amid heightened political tension during House hearings on Duterte’s impeachment proceedings. The misleading post featured a composite image of Duterte alongside military personnel with text declaring: “New president! AFP has switched sides! Good news! They have already spoken to VP Sara!”
Military authorities have categorically rejected any suggestion of shifting allegiance. The fabricated claim appears to be part of a pattern of disinformation attempting to portray instability within the country’s security apparatus, similar to debunked rumors from October 2025 during anti-corruption protests.
Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, told reporters that such unfounded claims undermine public trust in democratic institutions. “The Armed Forces remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate and professional in carrying out its duties. We serve the Filipino people through our duly elected civilian leadership,” Padilla stated.
This latest instance of misinformation revives previously discredited allegations about supposed coup attempts against the Marcos administration. In January, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. publicly refuted rumors of military unrest after several retired officials reportedly urged active service members to withdraw loyalty from the government.
The AFP did acknowledge one isolated incident where Colonel Audie Mongao, a senior military officer, was relieved of his duties after posting an online statement expressing personal political views contrary to military discipline. However, military leadership emphasized this was an individual action that did not reflect institutional sentiment.
“While the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, all personnel of the Armed Forces are reminded of their duty to observe the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and respect for the non-partisan nature of military service, especially in public discourse,” a Philippine Army spokesperson clarified following that incident.
The timing of the false claim coincides with significant political developments. The House justice committee recently found probable cause to impeach Vice President Duterte, advancing a renewed impeachment drive following the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to bar similar proceedings against her in 2025.
Political analysts note that fabricated claims about military withdrawal of support represent a dangerous form of disinformation that can provoke unnecessary public alarm. Dr. Elena Santos, professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, explains: “False narratives about military intervention tap into historical anxieties in Philippine politics, where the armed forces have previously played decisive roles during political crises.”
Both the AFP and the Philippine National Police recently affirmed their dedication to national security and publicly thanked the Marcos administration for increased budget allocations under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, further contradicting claims of institutional discord.
Military authorities have urged the public to verify information through official channels before sharing content that could potentially destabilize national security or spread unfounded political claims.
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7 Comments
This looks like another attempt to create political unrest through fabricated claims. I’m glad the AFP is firmly rejecting the allegations and reaffirming its loyalty. Fact-checking and authoritative sources are crucial to counter such damaging disinformation.
Good to see the AFP taking a firm stance against these false claims. Transparency and accountability from our security forces is critical. Hopefully this shuts down the disinformation campaign quickly before it can gain more traction.
Appreciate the AFP’s swift response to debunk these unfounded rumors. It’s disturbing to see politically-motivated falsehoods circulating, especially when they target the stability of our military. We need leaders and institutions we can trust during challenging times.
Exactly. Maintaining confidence in the AFP’s professionalism and allegiance to the constitution is vital. Spreading misinformation to undermine that is very concerning and should be condemned.
This seems like a political ploy to sow confusion and division. The AFP’s clear reaffirmation of support for the Marcos administration is reassuring. It’s crucial that citizens have access to truthful, verified information from authoritative sources during this sensitive time.
I agree completely. Maintaining stability and faith in government institutions is vital, especially for the military. Spreading misinformation to portray instability is reckless and damaging.
Concerning to see these false claims circulating about the AFP’s stance. It’s important to rely on official statements from military leadership to get the facts straight. Disinformation can be very destabilizing, so I’m glad the AFP is pushing back quickly on this.