Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday said he is not sorry for urging the military to withdraw support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Alvarez said this in his speech at the "Hakbang ng Maisug" Peace Rally in Tagum City, Davao del Norte last April 14, which was led by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“Please withdraw your support to the chief executive. Pag po nag-withdraw kayo ng suporta sa kanya, ibig sabihin, sinusuportahan niyo ang probisyon ng Saligang Batas na, ‘To protect the people and the state.’ Yan po ang pinakamahalaga diyan. Pag nag-withdraw po kayo ng suporta sa kanya, wala na siyang ibang magagawa kundi bababa sa pwesto niya,” he said during the event.

AFP defers to DOJ on investigation of Alvarez

It was reported two days later that Alvarez apologized for his remarks and the Department of Justice was looking into whether the solon’s statement is seditious.

However, in his interview with the local media on Thursday, he said that he is unapologetic about his remarks.

“Ako tong gituyo. Mao bitaw ingon sila nag-sorry. Wala uy. Wala ko nag-sorry. Careful man ko kay abugado man ko. I know the elements of the crime,” he said.

(I intended to say it. They said that I said sorry. No, I did not apologize. I am being careful because I am a lawyer. I know the elements of the crime.) 

Politics, free speech clash after Alvarez call for AFP to abandon Marcos

 “Baka na-misunderstood lang yung statement,” he added.

 (Maybe, they just misunderstood my statement.)

 The Armed Forces of the Philippines has reiterated its strict adherence to the chain of command in response to Alvarez's statement.