Army seeks delisting of Rep. Barzaga as reservist after protest call

Manila, Philippines – Cavite Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga faces delisting from the reserve force roster of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) after an internal probe found he violated protocols on reservists.

The army released a statement on Tuesday saying it has recommended the delisting of Barzaga for “grave offense of misconduct” stemming from the lawmaker’s social media posts that rallied military support for the Sept. 21 protests while donning the military uniform.

“The decision is in response to Rep. Barzaga’s speeches and utterances on social media insinuating that the AFP, PNP, and Reservists will join the protest on 21 September 2025, declaring the loss of trust in the President by the AFP,” army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-Ala said in a statement.

Barzaga’s actions constituted violations of the following: the General Headquarters Standard Operating Procedure No. 07 on the enlistment, extension, and delisting of AFP Reserve Force members, and Republic Act 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces Reservist Act.

“The decision is limited to Rep Barzaga’s status within the army’s reserve force and has no impact on his rights as a civilian or elected official,” the army said in the statement.

It reminded all active-duty personnel and reservists to “uphold military professionalism and non-partisanship, as enshrined in the AFP Code of Ethics.”

In a chance interview with House reporters, Barzaga described the military’s decision as “inconsequential.”

“My involvement in the reserve force does not negatively affected [sic] administration whatsoever, and I do not hold a significant rank. So, my removal from the reserve forces is practically inconsequential to President Marcos,” said the lawmaker, who holds the rank of a private.

Citing differing views on foreign policy and military stance on the West Philippine Sea, Barzaga made fresh allegations that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. was behind the AFP decision to delist him.

“Alam n’yo naman lagi kong inaaway na si Marcos ngayon lalo na sa korapsyon sa administrasyon niya but I believe this was not done by Marcos but rather by Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro,” he told reporters.

“Gibo Teodoro, on the other hand, he has a very pro-war sentiment, and he is very interested in starting a war with China, especially considering the conflicts in our territorial waters, and I have the opposite belief,” Barzaga alleged.

Philippines troops “are not capable of staging a war against a superpower within the region,” the lawmaker said, referring to Beijing.

“Maybe from the difference in our opinions, where Gibo Teodoro would get the idea that it would be better if I was not part of the reserve forces and would have no involvement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Barzaga said, adding that he is urging Teodoro “to resign if he’s incapable of doing his job.”

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Daniza Fernandez contributed to this story.