Lacson bares widespread ‘frustration’ among uniformed services

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine National Police Chief and current Sen. Panfilo Lacson warned that “frustration” within the armed services has spread to regional levels.

Citing “independent intel,” Lacson said that armed personnel are frustrated over overlapping national issues, including the tension in the Senate, inflation, the rise in oil prices, and the flood control scandal.

“As per information, though still sketchy and raw, the level of frustration within the armed services has reached up to battalion and regional levels,” Lacson said in a message to the media.

He added that the armed services are “closely monitoring the developments in the ongoing crisis at the national level brought about by numerous factors, both internal and external.”

READ: Senate security threat ‘very serious,’ says Sotto’s intel

In a separate text message to the Inquirer, Lacson emphasized that the concerned armed services “are not limited to [the] AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines).”

The senator, however, did not specify which other armed services are frustrated.

He then advised that the armed services “should be more discerning and not allow themselves to be misled by potential ‘troublemakers’ within the Senate premises.”

“The danger is if some unscrupulous and power-hungry destabilizers among some aligned political groups take advantage by fanning the flame of discontent, rightly or wrongly, which could trigger widespread mass movements and protests,” Lacson said.

Lacson’s information came amid looming security threats at the Senate, as confirmed by Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian.

However, Lacson clarified that the two issues are “not linked.” /mcm