Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said supposed foreign-funded destabilization attempts against the Marcos administration, if proven true, could amount to treason, as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to probe civilians and possible active military personnel.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the remark after the AFP said it was checking intelligence indicating that some protest activities may have received support from foreign entities.
“Sa ngayon po mismo ang pamunuan po ng AFP ay sinabi po sa atin na continuously ay nagche-check po sila at closely coordinating with the PNP regarding this,” Castro said.
[Translation: The AFP leadership told us they are continuously checking this and closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police.]
“At kung ito man ay may katotohanan… at makikita po sa kanilang pag-iimbestiga na foreign funded itong kanilang isinasagawang rally, masasabi po nating ito ay pagtataksil sa bayan.”
[Translation: And if this is true… and their investigation shows that these rallies are foreign-funded, we can say this is treason against the country.]
Castro said foreign interference in domestic political activity is unacceptable.
“Ang politika natin ay mukhang pinanghihimasukan na ng ibang bansa, so, hindi po maganda,” she said.
[Translation: Other nations seem to interfere in our politics, and that is not good.]
She added that such activities should stop.
“Sana hindi po lumalim pa ang ganitong klaseng mga aktibidad kung nagpopondo lang naman din po ay ibang bansa,” Castro said.
[Translation: I hope these activities do not escalate if indeed they are being funded by other countries.]
Asked whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as commander-in-chief, had issued instructions on the matter, Castro said the military is still doing its checks.
“Kung ano po ang hindi dapat sa bansa o kung nasisira po ang interes ng bansa, dapat pong mas imbestigahan po,” she said.
[Translation: Anything harmful to the country or against national interest must be investigated.]
The United People’s Initiative, which staged rallies calling for Marcos’ resignation earlier this week, has denied receiving foreign funding and expressed concern over what it called speculative statements from the military.
