House exec tells ex-President Duterte: Spare AFP, PNP from ‘intrigues’

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe.
From the Facebook post of Zamboanga City Rep. Jose Manuel Dalipe

MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe on Sunday called for former President Rodrigo Duterte to spare the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) from “partisan intrigues” that may raise questions about the professionalism and neutrality of the uniformed service.

In a statement, Dalipe said that Duterte’s accusations that the AFP and PNP are participating in political activities are unfair.

He emphasized the hard work of officers and enlisted troops to restore the uniformed service’s credibility and professionalism.

“I respectfully appeal to former President Rodrigo Duterte to recognize the paramount importance of keeping our Armed Forces and National Police free from partisan politics. These institutions serve as the bedrock of our nation’s security, and their effectiveness relies on unity and impartiality,” said Dalipe.

“We have already achieved so much in our quest to professionalize our military and police service. Let us not squander what we have accomplished by putting the AFP and the PNP in a bad light because of these baseless statements,” he added.

Dalipe stressed that the ex-president should instead focus on prioritizing the country’s well-being over political interests.

He further said that the days of “military adventurism” are over and that the two agencies are focused on fulfilling their constitutional mandate as pillars of the nation’s democracy and sovereignty.

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“The AFP and the PNP have more important things to do than watching Congress, as claimed by the former President. Our uniformed service must be insulated from partisan activities and should maintain the highest degree of professionalism. Huwag na sana niyang idamay ang AFP at PNP,” Dalipe said.

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This came after Duterte’s statement in the Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa TV program aired on Sonshine Media Network International November 15, which said: “Watch the military and the police closely. You who are conniving in Congress. I am not scaring you, but watch the military and the police closely.”

The former president also insinuated current House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez’s ambition to run for the next presidential election.

This, according to Dalipe, is “not only baseless but also premature.”

He added that the presidential election is still too far away, and Romualdez is “wasting no time ensuring the swift passage of the Marcos administration’s priority measures.”