Senate President Francis Escudero urged the Duterte camp on Monday to refrain from involving the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in every issue concerning the political family.
This came after Vice President Sara Duterte questioned why the Philippine National Police (PNP) was in control of Villamor Air Base during the arrest of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Alam mo, hindi ko rin maintindihan yung concern na yun ng ating Vice President… pagpapatuloy ng tila mensahe na common sa kanila, na umaapila palagi sa sandatahang lakas,” Escudero said. He warned against pitting the AFP and PNP against each other, emphasizing that the military only assisted in the law enforcement operation.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro clarified that the AFP’s role was limited to supporting the PNP. “Our sole mandate is to give support to the Philippine National Police when it is asked for. And therefore, such ends our jurisdiction,” he stated.
Escudero criticized the continuous appeals to the AFP, saying, “Well, ulitin ko, tila pilit nilang dinadamay ang sandatahang lakas sa iba’t ibang isyu na hindi naman dapat talaga.” He stressed that the military should remain neutral and avoid political involvement.
“Hindi dapat mangampi ang AFP kaninuman… hindi para sa kanila ang maglaro ng pulitika at pumabor sa isang kulay o kabilang kulay man,” Escudero added.
On another note, he saw no issue with Vice President Duterte staying in the Netherlands despite Malacañang’s appeal for her to return. “Ang pangunahing trabaho ng ikalawang pangulo ay maging handa kung kinakailangan niyang pumalit sa pangulo,” he said.