Brawner denies ouster plot, warns coup try would ‘set PH back years’
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Friday denied claims that the military was plotting with retired generals and religious groups to oust President Marcos, warning that any coup attempt would only destabilize the country and reverse democratic gains.
“The coup rumors are not true. I myself was surprised when I saw the article,” Brawner said at a news forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.
Brawner said he confronted the journalist who made the claim in online accounts, and the journalist claimed that he was the officer referred to in the story.
“If you’re referring to me, I can tell you directly that I did not talk to any religious group. I did not plan a coup d’état with the secretary of national defense directed by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency),” he said.
The AFP chief urged writers to verify claims with the military before publication, noting that such reports could cause alarm both domestically and abroad.
Brawner admitted that during the Sept. 21 protests marking the 52nd anniversary of martial law, some groups openly called for the AFP to intervene.
He said placards and speeches at the rally urged the military to withdraw support from Marcos, while some retired officers attempted to reach out to younger commanders.
No takers
“There were recruitment activities, sad to say, by some retired officers trying to reach out to younger officers, to commanders, even to me,” Brawner said. “But there were no such events or activities that transpired. The AFP stood its ground.”
He described the protests as a “litmus test” for the military’s professionalism.
“We came out victorious because none of our members heeded those calls,” he added.
Brawner drew parallels to the military uprisings of the 1980s, including the 1989 coup attempt against then President Corazon Aquino, which he described as “the bloodiest” in recent history.
“In 1989, we saw soldier against soldier, brother against brother, fighting,” he said. “We don’t want this to happen again. We will not allow that to happen again.”
He warned that any attempt to topple the government would “set the Philippines back several years,” scaring away investors, disrupting livelihoods and undermining institutions.
