Philippine police, military reject talk of plot against Marcos

The Philippines’ top security officials on Monday rejected allegations that they were part of a plot to force President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from office, saying the military and police solidly support his young administration.

An online video posted by a retired military general insinuated links between armed forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and national police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. to an alleged plot to persuade Marcos to resign less than two years into his six-year term. BenarNews viewed a portion of the video before it was removed from the web.

“It hurts me that there are some people, who for the sake of gaining popularity through their vlogs, would sow disinformation,” Acorda said in an address to police.  

He said the malicious post “went viral, saying the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and PNP [Philippine National Police] were withdrawing support and or asking for the resignation of the president.” 

The video showed pictures of Brawner and Acorda that made it appear they supported the plot.  

Acorda’s office said he filed a criminal complaint on Monday against Johnny Macanas Sr. – a retired military brigadier general – for allegedly being responsible for the video which ran on social media. 

The allegation, Acorda said, could negatively affect the country’s image abroad. 

Meanwhile, AFP spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar said the 130,000-member military supported Marcos, the commander-in-chief. 

“We are confident that the active military personnel are professional and will follow the chain of command,” Aguilar told a radio interview. 

“There is no such thing in the AFP. We can assure the public that we are solid and united and we will continue, we will focus on our missions,” he said. “Do not involve us with these alleged plots.” 

Cybercrime allegation

Police spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said Macanas had been charged with violating the country’s cybercrime prevention law and could face up to six years in prison, if found guilty. 

While the government respects freedom of speech “this should be exercised within the bounds of the law,” Fajardo told reporters. 

The police and the military are “100 percent behind this administration” and would remain apolitical, she said. “We remain solid and intact and professional. 

“Our focus will remain on security and providing public services to our countrymen.” 

In December, Brawner reiterated the military’s support for Marcos as he reacted to a comment by Vice President Sara Duterte questioning efforts to resume peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines. He said troops would not lay down their weapons unless directly ordered by Marcos in his role as commander-in-chief. 

Macanas did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment. He has a YouTube page, “The Vlogging General – Johnny Macanas Sr.,” featuring videos which are at least a year old.

Coup attempts  

Destabilization plots and coup attempts are not new to the Philippines, which has survived previous attempts to unseat a sitting president as a way of changing governments.

Corazon Aquino, who took power after the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in a 1986 people’s revolt, survived six coup attempts. 

In 2001, a military-backed popular revolt chased Joseph Estrada from office. 

His successor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, faced down a revolt by junior military officers. 

Rodrigo Duterte, who served as president from 2016 to 2022, quelled rumors of dissatisfaction in the ranks and frequently visited camps to talk to commanders. Ironically, his name was dragged into rumored plots against Marcos last year after he admitted having talked to some retired generals.

“I do not think that there are current issues big enough to create another turmoil,” Duterte told Philippine media in November.

But, he warned, the public would not tolerate “rampant, uncontrolled and unabated” corruption. He did not elaborate.