MANILA, Philippines?The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Friday said the Supreme Court decision allowing President Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the next Chief Justice has too little effect on its soldiers to compel them into another military adventurism.

"Everything is running smoothly [and] we have a very good feedback system in the field," AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. told reporters in an interview at Camp Aguinaldo Friday.

Burgos was reacting to the admonition of detained Army Gen. Danilo Lim that allowing Ms Arroyo to pick the next Chief Justice would open room for grumbling soldiers to mount an uprising.

"We've already learned a lot of lessons in the past and that griping officers who resort to adventurism already know that they would [end up in jail]," said Burgos.

"The AFP's past experiences taught us a lot of lessons-- that we should adhere to the chain of command so that we will never go wrong," he said.

Burgos added that the military has greatly changed in terms of professionalism since the past uprisings that involved Lim.

Lim is currently detained at Camp Crame for his alleged involvement in the takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City on Nov. 2007.

Prior the incident, he was previously under the custody of the military for allegedly participating in plots to oust Ms Arroyo on Feb. 2006.

AFP chief of staff Gen. Delfin Bangit on Friday also appealed to all critics to "leave us alone if you want us to serve better."

The military chief also dispelled yet again speculation that there was a conspiracy between the military and the Supreme Court extend Ms Arroyo term should there be a failure of election on May 10.

"I have my oath and it will be to the protection and to the support of the Constitution. Nothing more, nothing less," Bangit told reporters on Friday.