By Tracy Cabrera
AMID calls for the country’s uniformed personnel to speak out on corruption issues in the government, survey results by OCT Research showed that seven out of 10 Filipinos oppose any moves from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Philippine National Police (PNP) to intervene in political disputes.
Some sectors have also questioned the loyalty of the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in fulfilling their mandate to defend the country but civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia countered this by expressing his strong support for the military as it remains the prime protector of government and the Constitution.
“Our soldiers and coast guard officers stand on the frontlines not for politics or foreign powers, but for the Filipino people. To question their patriotism without proof is to insult every Filipino who has ever worn the uniform,” Goitia, chairman emeritus of four civic-oriented organizations, pointed out.
As lead convenor of the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, he described the tirades against the military’s integrity as “dangerous distractions that divide the nation at a time when our sovereignty faces real threats.”
Goitia was reacting to the recent exchange between Davao City’s First District representative Paolo ‘Pulong’ Duterte and PCG spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, where the younger Duterte implied that Philippine defense policies were being influenced by the American interests, particularly the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CUA).
But, Commodore Tarriela quickly refuted the allegation, calling Duterte’s remarks as a “divisive noise” that undermines the country’s defense partnerships. In a television report, he emphasized that the AFP and PCG serve only the Filipino people and the nation’s sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
In this score, Chairman Goitia is in strong agreement: “To accuse our defenders of being puppets without proof is not patriotism, it is manipulation. It distracts us from the real threat, the one building islands in waters that are rightfully ours.”
He warned that disinformation has become a powerful weapon—one that erodes trust in institutions and divides citizens: “We cannot fight for our seas while fighting among ourselves,” even as he urged leaders and citizens alike to be responsible with their words and cautious about spreading divisive narratives.
“Freedom of speech is not freedom from accountability. Criticism is part of democracy, but it must be based on truth, not resentment,” he stressed.
In concluding, Goitia emphasized that unity is the nation’s strongest defense: “When we protect our defenders, we protect our Republic. Let us not allow disinformation or politics to erode the trust that binds our people together.
“The Philippines will stand strong only if we stand together, under one flag, one people and one truth.”
