Palace denies AFP unrest rumors

Malacañang dismissed on Sunday rumors of unrest within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as Filipinos mounted anti-corruption protests nationwide over alleged anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control projects.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. trusts the military’s loyalty to the Constitution and emphasized that demonstrators oppose corruption, not the President.

Retired military officials joined a protest outside the AFP General Headquarters in Quezon City, denouncing what they called “systemic corruption.” Larger rallies also took place at the EDSA People Power Shrine and Rizal Park in Manila.

Marcos earlier ordered a full probe into ghost projects and irregular disbursements, creating an independent body to ensure accountability. He also canceled his scheduled trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to monitor the situation.

Palace said Marcos respects the rallies as legitimate expressions of free speech, provided they remain peaceful and lawful.