Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. firmly denied rumors of a coup, vowing that no such act will happen during his leadership.
“As long as I serve as Chief of Staff, no coup shall happen. Not on my watch. We will not be shaken by rumor nor outmaneuvered by noise,” Brawner said in a statement on Wednesday.
He stressed that the AFP remains a professional and disciplined institution committed to reforms, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
“Let me reassure our countrymen that the AFP remains strong, professional, and firmly loyal to the chain of command. We are a disciplined institution, grounded in respect for the Constitution, civilian authority, and the rule of law,” he said.
Brawner affirmed his confidence in the integrity and patriotism of AFP personnel and cautioned those spreading unrest and misinformation.
“To those who persist in creating instability, I offer this not as a rebuke, but as a reminder. Do not sow doubt among the very ranks that safeguard our democracy. Do not attempt to influence or mislead soldiers who serve quietly, honorably, and with steadfast loyalty to our Constitution and our country,” he said.
He added that discontent is not an excuse to attack institutions built to protect the nation.
“Attacking the Armed Forces with baseless narratives only threatens to weaken an institution that exists to defend us all,” he said.
Brawner also called on Filipinos to approach national security matters with discernment and unity.
“Let us not be adversaries in the same nation we all claim to love. Let us be better stewards of our words, platforms, and influence because patriotism is not measured by how loudly we speak, but by how wisely we choose unity over division and nation-building over disruption,” he said.
He reaffirmed the AFP’s commitment to its core mission: protecting the people, preserving peace, and defending the country.