No loyalty check for troops — Rody

DAVAO CITY – President Duterte said there is no need for a loyalty check among members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as long as the soldiers remain loyal to the Constitution.

“I am not appealing for personal loyalty. Hindi ko type ‘yung ganon (I don’t like that). I just want you to fight for the republic and maintain your loyalty to the Constitution, period,” Duterte told soldiers in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay last Friday afternoon.

The President assured the military men that he will attend to their needs and that he will be there for them, especially during the implementation of martial law in Mindanao.

Loyalties of those in the AFP have been questioned after 10 soldiers were killed in an accidental air strike by the Air Force on ground troops in Marawi last Wednesday.

“During my time, as your President, I can give you only the inspiration and the protection that you would need. And I will attend to your needs and during my time, you will have the best,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, AFP Eastern Mindanao deputy commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay told

The STAR there is no need for any loyalty check as all the men and women in the AFP are solidly behind the President.

“There is no question about loyalty. We are all behind the President,” said Gapay, who is the spokesman for martial law in the eastern part of Mindanao.

Gapay said that everyone should just wait for the investigation of the AFP Board of Inquiry that was formed to look into the incident last Wednesday.

Now on its second week, the crisis in Marawi has reportedly claimed close to 200 lives and displaced thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire between the military and the Maute group.