Army Reserve force wants Barzaga out
The Philippine Army Reserve Command has recommended the removal of Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga from its roster after he publicly urged soldiers, police officers and reservists to join anticorruption protests last month.
In a statement on Tuesday, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-Ala said an internal investigation found that the lawmaker’s remarks on social media constituted “misconduct” under military regulations.
“Following a thorough and impartial internal investigation, the Philippine Army confirms that Cavite Rep. Francisco A. Barzaga is recommended to be delisted from the Reserve Force roster,” the Army said.
“The decision is limited to [his] status within the Army’s reserve force and has no impact on his rights as a civilian or elected official,” it added.
The recommendation has been forwarded to higher headquarters for final action.
Probers’ basis
The internal investigators made the recommendation after finding that Barzaga’s social media posts had insinuated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines, police and reservists would join the Sept. 21 anticorruption protests and declare their loss of trust in President Marcos.
Barzaga, who holds the rank of private, joined the AFP Reserve Force on Jan. 10, 2025, under the National Capital Region Regional Community Defense Group.
The military also reminded active-duty troops and reservists to uphold professionalism and nonpartisanship as enshrined in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Code of Ethics, stressing that all actions must not compromise the “noble profession of arms.”
