Duterte impeachment: No destabilization activities monitored — DND

READ: LIVE UPDATES: House votes on Sara Duterte impeachment

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense (DND) has not monitored any destabilization activities related to the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said on Monday.

“Right now, involving active-duty members, we have not monitored anything, and that is all we are focusing on,” Teodoro told reporters after attending the public hearing of the Senate committee on foreign relations.

“Among the military, there is no threat, and for a long time, regardless of the administration, there have been many speculations, but nothing has materialized since Edsa II,” he added.

He also stressed that the military remains professional amid political issues.

“The soldiers have their job, and I think part of the professionalization of the Armed Forces and their responsibility to wield more effective equipment and actually use active defense is that they should not interfere in politics,” Teodoro said.

READ: Palace: AFP looking into alleged destabilization plot list

Asked about the possible involvement of retired soldiers in political matters, Teodoro said they are beyond the DND’s jurisdiction.

“We no longer have jurisdiction over them, and they have no influence over our soldiers,” he said.

READ: Retired military officer who sought Marcos ouster arrested for sedition

He also said that while the DND has not monitored any destabilization movements among the retirees, some of them have expressed their sentiments.

“They’re free to express themselves as normal citizens, but once you’re retired from the service, that’s it,” he said.

“Majority and the bulk of retirees…do not associate themselves with those who are involved in anti-government activities. Retirees, you know, are already focused on something else. And right now, we have to thank them for the unconditional support for the initiatives of DND on external and internal security. So we thank the retirees,” he added. /mcm