"There is no truth [in] the unrest."
This was the response of Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. amid reports of destabilization in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
However, he admits that some valid issues such as delays in the promotion of some officers are being resolved.
"There is no truth on the unrest. Maybe meron tayong tinatawag na some valid issues but we are resolving it now. Isa doon yung some delays in promotion," Galvez said at a press conference.
[There is no truth on the unrest. Maybe we have some valid issue but were are resolving it now. One of the issues are some of the delays in promotions.]
The rumors of an alleged destabilization plot in the AFP floated after the supposed resignations of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the reappointment of General Andres Centino back as AFP chief, replacing Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro, who only served for almost five months.
Galvez also noted that the fixed three-year term on the AFP may lead to “stagnation” and “demoralization.”
Under Republic Act 11709, a fixed term of three years were set for key officials of the AFP including the AFP chief-of-staff, vice chief-of-staff, deputy chief-of-staff, commanding generals of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force, flag officer in command of the Philippine Navy, unified command commanders, and inspector general.
“Kung three years ang area commander, magkakaroon ng tinatawag na stagnation. Kapag nag-stagnate ‘iyon, ‘yung tinatawag nating promotion cycle, there is demoralization,"
[If an area commander has a three-year term, there would be what we call stagnation. When there is stagnation in the promotion cycle, there is demoralization.]
