The Philippine National Police has appealed to the public to spare the institution from political noise.
PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. told police officers to remain focused on their mandate.
“Whatever news we’ve been hearing, the PNP will not be affected and our PNP chief always tells our cops, through our respective regional directors, to not listen to political noise,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.
Fajardo said while the police respect the right of interest groups to express their own sentiments, even those against the administration, but these groups should not try to influence the PNP.
‘’We are just appealing to them to spare the PNP. We know our mandate and we will continue to do our duties and that includes upholding and respecting the rule of law,” she said.
On Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said there is no need to conduct loyalty checks among its ranks amid the political fallout between President Marcos and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The statement of AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. is there is not even a need for a loyalty check,” military spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla said.
Duterte earlier called on the military and the police to protect the Constitution against alleged threats from pro-Charter change groups.
“The keyword here is that the AFP is non-partisan. We will continue to focus on our mission to end our local terrorist insurgency problem and transition ultimately to territorial defense,” she said.
In a press conference earlier this month, Duterte said only “stupid people” will link him to destabilization efforts against the administration as he urged Filipinos to observe the rule of law.
Asked if he is satisfied with the Marcos administration, Duterte said then: “In a sense, we have not seen any issue of corruption or abuse. In a sense, Marcos is treading a straight path.”
“I can’t say there is a need for change or anything. I do not see any need for agitation — nothing,” he added.
On Sunday, however, Duterte warned his successor that efforts to amend the Constitution through a people’s initiative could lead to Mr. Marcos suffering the fate of his late father who was ousted in 1986. With Vince Lopez
