Malacañang Emphasizes: Police & Military Serve the Nation, Not the Duterte Family
DUTERTE – Malacañang firmly stated that the police and military must prioritize serving the Filipino people rather than the Duterte family.
Malacañang has firmly rejected the Duterte family’s attempts to directly appeal to the military for intervention in their personal and political controversies. On Tuesday, March 25, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the military and police serve the Filipino people, not individual political families.
This response comes after Vice President Sara Duterte questioned the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) decision to allow the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte to proceed. During a Senate hearing on the matter, the vice president expressed her concerns over the AFP’s inaction in preventing the arrest.
“The public servant should be apolitical. They should not be dragged over these personal issues, especially of the Duterte’s,” Castro stated during a press briefing.
Castro further asserted that the Duterte family should not call upon the military and police for personal reasons or political leverage.
“Ang militar po, ang kasundalohan, ang kapulisan po natin ay para sa bayan, hindi para po sa pamilya Duterte lamang,” she said.
Senate President Francis Escudero also weighed in on the issue, pointing out that the AFP was merely assisting in a law enforcement operation. He emphasized that the military cannot and should not oppose the police during such operations.
“It’s clear: the AFP was merely assisting in a law enforcement operation. The AFP cannot oppose or clash with the police during such operations. Why are we forcing conflict between the two?” Escudero remarked.
The vice president’s appeal to the military is not unprecedented. Her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, previously challenged the military’s loyalty, questioning whether they would still follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This remark led to accusations of inciting sedition against him.
While Duterte once held supreme authority over the AFP during his presidency, his executive powers ended when his term concluded. Currently, President Marcos Jr. serves as the commander-in-chief, a role that is not permanent and will transition to the next elected leader.
Furthermore, Vice President Sara Duterte does not possess any mandate or control over the military unless she is granted a defense position within the Cabinet by the sitting president.
Malacañang’s firm stance underscores the principle that state security forces must remain politically neutral and serve the best interests of the nation rather than any specific political family.
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