The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) warns about the dangers of political divisions, stressing the potential harm such disunity could bring to the country.
AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. stated that unnamed countries, referred to as "external threats," would benefit from such a situation.
He further warned that these external threats could take advantage of the division to interfere and potentially take control of the situation in the Philippines.
In a report by RH Edniel Parrosa, when asked by the media if the AFP views this as a possible outcome amid the ongoing political rift, General Brawner responded to reporters that it is among the potential scenarios.
"We will have a divided nation. Hindi po natin dapat hayaan ‘yon because it will allow other countries, external threats, to come in unimpeded and take control," Brawner said.
"Hindi ko sinasabi that they will invade but they could take control," he added.
Brawner’s reminder came after he openly opposed former President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for military intervention, citing supposed “fractured governance.”
On Monday, Duterte claimed that the military is the only institution that can resolve the alleged fractured governance under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Malacañang had previously characterized former President Duterte’s call for a ‘coup’ as selfish and irresponsible.
Moreover, the AFP sees no need to heighten its alert level despite the ongoing political noise in the country, assuring the public that the situation remains manageable.
