No ‘destab,’ ex-generals vow

4 groups reaffirm support to Marcos in audience with Speaker

Four major groups of retired military generals sought an audience Monday with Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to reaffirm their support to the administration of President Marcos and the leadership of both houses of Congress.

Twenty-two retired generals attended the meeting with the Speaker, which was facilitated by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association (PMAAAI), Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), Philippine Military Academy Retired Alumni Association (PMARAA), and National ROTC Alumni Association, Inc. (NARAAI).

The retired generals informed Romualdez there is no truth to allegations circulating on social media that PMA alumni and other Armed Forces retirees are supporting destabilization moves against the administration.

“We are all here today, united, to air our support to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his administration and the leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate,” said retired Admiral Danilo Abinoja, chairman and CEO of PMAAAI.

“We continue to abide by and vow to defend the Constitution, and the duly-constituted authorities. That is our oath, then and until now,” he stressed.

Abinoja informed Romualdez that the PMA is not the only military school in full support of the Marcos presidency but also all schools producing servicemen for the Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.

“In fact, the Association of Service Academies of the Philippines is issuing a manifesto of support to President Marcos and his administration,” the retired admiral disclosed.

Retired Maj. Gen. Marlou Salazar, Vice President of NARRAI, said their group is also against any attempt to destabilize the Marcos administration as they believe that stability in government is the key to peace and progress.

“Ayaw naming magkagulo (We do not want chaos). A kingdom should not be divided if we want it to succeed,” Salazar said.

Retired Gen. Raul Gonzales, chairman of PMARAAI, said their group are also not in favor of the moves being undertaken by “some retirees” that seem to undermine the stability of government.

“We support the sentiments of the PMA alumni here today and we are duty-bound to defend the Constitution even now that we are out of service. Some have different beliefs, but the general membership is united in defending this government,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales even presented the Speaker a copy of the resolution issued by PMA Class ‘75, of which he is the president, “abhorring acts that undermine the economic, social and political gains that the current administration has put up over the years.”

“In the light of the numerous misinformation and propaganda prevalent in the social media that tend to polarize certain groups in our communities, our class would like to manifest in the compelling terms, that we stand in unanimity and conformity with the duly constituted authorities, and to obey the laws, legal orders, and decrees promulgated by them,” the resolution read.

Retired Gen. Gerry Doria, Vice Chairman of AGFO, also reaffirmed their group’s support to President Marcos and his administration, saying their members are united behind duly-constituted authorities all the time.

Romualdez thanked the retired generals for coming to his office and spending some time to share their sentiments with him and other House leaders.

“We, in the House of Representatives, are happy to receive you here and listen to you. Words are not enough to express our gratitude to all of you. We are always sensitive, responsive and reflective of what you have to say even after you left the service,” he said.

“Now that you are civilians, you have the whole perspective from outside given the years of service that you have given to the nation. We value all that you share here today,” he added.

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