AFP

Partisan politics

October 10, 2024 People's Tonight 111 views

IT is reassuring to know that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will remain non-partisan and apolitical as the 2025 election approaches.

Except to vote, no member of the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) shall engage directly or indirectly in any partisan political activity.

Under the Constitution, military and police personnel are mandated to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and integrity.

Specifically, Articler XV1, Section 5 (3) of the 1987 Constitution provides that the armed forces shall be insulated from partisan politics.

Col. Louie Dema-ala, Philippine Army spokesman, assured the Filipino people that the military is out to protect the sanctity of the electoral process.

During elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) deputizes the AFP and the PNP to ensure the holding of free, honest and peaceful polls.

“Talagang dapat lang na laging neutral and mga sundalo at pulis para maging patas and labanan ng mga politiko,” according to a political analyst.

It is public knowledge that in the past, moneyed candidates used their heavily-armed private armies to intimidate, harass and threaten their political opponents.

Note, however. that members of private armed groups (PAGs) were no match to the highly-trained and well-disciplined Comelec-deputized soldiers and policemen.

“Ngayon ay hindi na maka-porma ang mga PAGs dahil bantay sarado na sila ng AFP at PNP habang papalapit ang May 12, 2025 eleksyon,” a voter said.

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