MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first-ever presiding over the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) command conference is not a loyalty check on the 200,000-strong police force, its chief General Benjamin Acorda said on Thursday.
Acorda made this clarification amid what he deemed “political noise” hounding the country, referring to issues such as Mindanao secessionist calls and the alleged destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.
READ: PNP chief Acorda tells ranks: Ignore ‘political noise’
“No, I don’t consider it as a loyalty check,” Acorda said in a press conference in Camp Crame hours after the command conference when asked if the activity could be considered that way.
“He being our commander in chief, it’s but proper, really, to preside,” Acorda continued. “Actually, this is his first time and we are happy to be part of the PNP; we are happy for him to preside over our command conference.”
Acorda noted that Marcos already presided over the command conference of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last month.
For its part, the AFP said there is no need for a loyalty check among the armed forces, which is bound to protect the country’s Constitution.
Last Jan. 31, Duterte claimed that local political forces would regroup in the Davao Region to start a peaceful movement for Mindanao’s independence.
Acorda previously warned of “chaos” once Duterte’s call for separate Mindanao pushes through, while the AFP, without directly condemning the secession call, said they are for “one Philippines.”
Also, both the AFP and the PNP have since denied that destabilization plots were being hatched against the Marcos government.
READ: PNP chief: Chaos likely if Mindanao separates, but no worries for now