TEN days after the New Year started, there were already a number of challenging events in the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces which, of course has been taken advantage of by soothsayers and the so-called ‘doomsday prophets’ who have nothing in mind but to sow intrigues in the armed services, for the country’s economy to worsen and for the government to fall.

I’m referring to the move by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos and PNP chief, General Jun Azurin to appeal for the courtesy resignation of all 3rd-Level police officers or our Generals and Full-Fledged Colonels to pave the way for a thorough cleansing of the organization specifically officers involved in illegal drug activities.

As i was writing this piece, Gen. Azurin said that more than 500 senior officials have already tendered their courtesy resignations from the service as they expressed their support to the PNP’s internal cleansing program which is essential in regaining the full trust and confidence of the public.

It was followed by rumors of an AFP destabilization plot supposedly triggered by PBBM’s decision to appoint General Andy Centino of PMA ‘Maringal’ Class of 1988 as the new AFP Chief of Staff vice his mistah, Lieutenant Gen. Bob Bacarro.

Last Saturday’s change of command at the AFP triggered a series of social media posts and fake news on the PNP going on full alert to counter a supposed AFP destabilization attempt followed by the supposed resignation of all Defense officials. As it turned out, there is no truth to all of these except for the decision of DND Officer-in-Charge Jose Faustino Jr, a former AFP chief and Army commanding general from PMA Class 1988 too.

These developments in the PNP and AFP are obviously being taken advantage of by anti-Marcos forces, those who rue the return of the Marcoses to Malacañang after the 1986 EDSA Revolution, those who simply can’t believe that PBBM scored a landslide victory in the May 2022 presidential election, getting 16 million more votes than his closest rival.

In particular, anti-Marcos groups are now claiming ‘mismanagement by the present administration, that men in uniform now doubt the legality of their Commander-in-Chief and that the administration will sooner or later fall.’ Obviously, these are farthest from the truth, easily concocted by persons who failed in their ambition as they supported other candidates last May.

A police colonel who heeded the appeal of Sec. Abalos for them to tender their courtesy resignation told me that he also has another idea: that is for President Marcos to order all local government officials—elected or appointed to also submit their courtesy resignation, submit a genuine statement of assets and liabilities, in particular stating how did they acquire their huge bank deposits, big houses and other properties including luxury vehicles, SUVs and wagons.

That suggestion came from a 3rd-Level PNP officer who accepted the appeal of Sec. Abalos. However, just like the majority of PNP senior officials whom I believe will pass the scrutiny of the 5-Man Committee, the challenge aired by that colonel would particularly apply to government officials who are known to have enriched themselves while in position.

On Monday, Gen Azurin maintained they have not monitored any destabilization plot supposedly involving some Armed Forces officials. He also brushed off suggestions to subject his officials into a ‘loyalty check.’

The top cop informed the public that they went into alert last Saturday since they were preparing for the Feast ob Black Nazarene and it was also normal for them to be ready each time there is a turnover of command in the AFP or the PNP. He added that the presence of V-150 armored personnel carriers moving inside the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame is also normal on a weekend since they have to be moved once in a while as part of their regular maintenance checkup.

Gen. Azurin said that on Sunday night, he talked with Gen. Centino who assured him that the AFP will work hand-in-hand with the police force in ensuring that the Marcos administration will be ‘very stable.’ The meeting between the two top security officials was brokered by another member of PMA Class 1988, former Colonel Michael Ray Aquino

Right now, the PNP is zeroing in on some personalities or groups behind the circulation of the so-called destabilization plot last Saturday. All I could say is that whoever is behind those rumors indeed succeeded in catching the attention of the Philippine and international media and foreign embassies. In the end, all were taken for a ride.

Just listen to these words from a former PNP chief and former senator, now Citizen Ping Lacson regarding the rumored mass resignation of DND officials. “First, the Philippine National Police already clarified last weekend the reason for its supposed heightened alert status – it was for another purpose, not related to any destabilization and the rumored “mass resignation” of DND officials which as it turned out is just that – rumor,” he said.

“Department of National Defense OIC Jose Faustino Jr., newly designated AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino and newly retired Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, along with two or three DND undersecretaries, all belong to PMA Class 1988. Even among PMA batchmates, sometimes there are dynamics due to personal associations and loyalties that cannot be avoided,” Citizen Ping said.

There is information though that OIC and Senior DND Undersecretary Faustino mentioned to some close associates as early as last month that he will resign if Lt. Gen. Bacarro will be replaced. That could have probably triggered the rumored “mass resignation” in the DND. That being said, the AFP is generally composed of professional officers and men whose loyalty to the flag and the Constitution is above and beyond their individual preferences,” the highly-respected retired general and former lawmaker said.