Centcom chief to President: No brewing coup here

THERE’S no brewing coup in the Visayas against President Rodrigo Duterte.

Lt. Gen. Oscar Lactao, Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (AFP Centcom) commander, gave this assurance to President Duterte on Friday.

Lactao said the President has their full support.

“(The) AFP is a professional organization. We have learned from the past. Hindi na kami sumasali sa mga ganyan (We no longer join any of that),” Lactao said in an interview yesterday after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between government agencies.

Lactao said they would fully support whoever is chosen by the majority as the president, who is their commander in chief.

He said that they don’t even think of destabilization plot because it is just a distraction to their work as soldiers, who are tasked to protect the country.

Citing high morale among the soldiers since Duterte had assumed office, Lactao said there is no reason for the Armed Forces to plot against the President.

“We have a president that really reaches out to the men in uniform. Makikita mo naman na he even shares the danger (with us soldiers) papasok sa main battle area sa Marawi City. That is a very dangerous activity,” Lactao said.

Instead of giving attention to the rumors of destabilization plots, Lactao said that they will focus on their job especially on the New People’s Army (NPA) and prevention of terrorist acts in the whole Visayas.