Westmincom chief shrugs off coup rumors

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte pins the rank insignia on newly promoted Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Commander Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana during the donning of ranks at Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City on on July 3, 2019. ALFRED FRIAS/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur –– A ranking military commander in Mindanao has shrugged off rumors about a coup against President Duterte.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said the officers and soldiers and civilian personnel under his leadership “are fully behind the (Duterte) administration, loyal to the Filipino people and the country.”

Westmincom has around 20,000 officers and enlisted personnel.

“They are professionals who are dedicated to serve the flag, country and the Filipino people,” Sobejana said.

Westmincom covers the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro region. 

The other half of Mindanao is under the Davao City-based Eastern Mindanao Command.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address Monday, the President again talked about a possible coup against him although he expressed confidence the military was solidly behind his administration.

Sobejana described Duterte as “always consistent with his programs against illegal drugs, corruption, and terrorism.”

“And as soldiers serving the country for the common good of the Filipino people, we support his fight, his good administration,” Sobejana said.