‘Military won’t back moves to establish revolutionary gov’t’

The military will not support moves to establish a revolutionary government, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said yesterday.

Guerrero made the assurance during the AFP’s security briefing for Vice President Leni Robredo at the Philippine Air Force headquarters in Pasay City.

“They (Guerrero and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana), in no uncertain terms, assured us that they will not support a revolutionary government or any moves that threatened our Constitution,” Robredo said.

The Vice President said she asked the AFP and the DND where they stand on the proposed revolutionary government being floated by President Duterte.

“We asked them because there are officials of the government who are involved in discussions regarding the revolutionary government. But …we were assured, and the assurance was firm that they will not support such plan,” she said.

Robredo said she requested the AFP for a briefing on the situation in Marawi as her office would like to assist in the rehabilitation efforts in the area.

“We’re very active in the relief efforts; now we also want to be active in the rehabilitation. Since the AFP and DND are actively involved in the rehabilitation, we requested for a briefing,” she said.

The military, however, provided her a “very comprehensive” briefing, which also included the security situation in the entire country.

“The West Philippine Sea was also discussed, as well as threats, not only from Maute group, but also from the ASG (Abu Sayyaf), BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters), and the CPPNPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army),” she said.

The Office of the Vice President, through its Angat Buhay anti-poverty program, is looking forward to assisting in the rehabilitation efforts in the city, Robredo said.