Philippine Defense Chiefs Reject Calls to Withdraw Support from Marcos Amid Corruption Protests

The Philippine defense and military leadership, including Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., have firmly rejected calls from protestors to withdraw support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid widespread public outrage over alleged massive corruption in flood control projects implicating numerous congressmen, senators, contractors, and public works officials. These projects, critical in a country frequently devastated by typhoons and floods, are under investigation by the House of Representatives, Senate, and the Marcos administration, revealing accusations of kickbacks financing lavish lifestyles and gambling. The military emphasized its non-partisan nature, strict adherence to the constitution, and the chain of command, denouncing suggestions of unconstitutional interventions. Street protests have remained relatively small and peaceful compared to violent demonstrations in neighboring countries, with much of the dissent expressed online by civic leaders including Catholic Church figures and retired officials. During rallies, some speakers urged the military to sever ties with Marcos and called for a non-violent 'people power' revolt akin to the historic army-backed uprising that ousted the current president’s father. The defense chiefs condemned politically motivated attempts to distract the armed forces from their mission, underscoring the importance of national security and regional stability.