Año reiterates the full support of the police and military for Marcos

NATIONAL Security Adviser-Secretary Eduardo Año reiterated the full support of the police and military for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday, April 20, 2024. and his government.

At a news conference, Jonathan Malaya, deputy director general of the National Security Council, said Año urged government opponents to spare the armed forces from politics.

“Ang panawagan pong National Security Advisor (Secretary Eduardo Año) let us insulate our armed forces and the Philippine National Police from partisan political activities. Huwag po natin silang gagamitin, because in any democracy the armed forces are supposed to be neutral and apolitical – kahit po sino magpalit-palit ng administrasyon, iyon po ‘yung commander in chief,” Malaya said.

(The National Security Advisor’s call is: Let us insulate our armed forces and the Philippine National Police from partisan political activities. Let us not use that because in any democracy the armed forces are supposed to be neutral and apolitical – no matter who changes government, that is the commander-in-chief.)

“Hindi sila magbibitaw ng mga salita to withdraw the president’s support just because someone asked them to. They are professionals, they know the chain of command and they respect the rule of the military hierarchy and they are loyal to the current Commander-in-Chief, President Bongbong Marcos,” he added.

(They will not utter words to withdraw the support of the President just because someone asked them to. They are professionals, they understand the chain of command, they respect the military hierarchy and they are loyal to the current Commander in Chief. , President Bongbong Marcos.)

In a statement read by Malaya, Año called on all Filipinos to stand firm and push back against malicious narratives that seek to undermine national interests, especially on the issues surrounding the so-called West Philippine Sea Gentlemen’s Agreement (WPS).

He noted Marcos’ position of abrogating all secret agreements between the former government and China.

“We must not fall into a trap that clearly shows and seeks to see the divisions in our country and weakens our resolve in asserting our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea,” Año said.

Last week, during the third prayer meeting against the charter change, Pantaleon Alvarez, representative of the First District of Davao del Norte, urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw their support for Marcos and expel him. force to resign.

Año was the 48th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who reportedly struck a gentleman’s agreement with China to maintain the status quo in the WPS.

He also served as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)