The Armed Forces of the Philippines join the civic and military parade during the celebration of the  125th anniversary of Philippine Independence at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park in Manila on June 12, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Tuesday there is no need for a loyalty check among its ranks amid the ongoing political rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla reiterated AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.'s statement that the military remains loyal to the Constitution and to the Chain of Command. 

"We are facing greater challenges that require the strength of a unified country and armed forces. As a cornerstone of national stability, the AFP shall remain non-partisan with utmost respect to democratic institutions and civilian authority," Padilla told reporters. 

"There is no need for a loyalty check. As the chief of staff said, he trusts that each soldier will perform his mandate and remain professional. Ang aming loyalty is to the Flag and to the Constitution, and we adhere to the Chain of Command," she added.

AFP chief of staff Brawner on Monday had called on soldiers to remain loyal to the Constitutionin the midst of the rift between the country's two top officials.

READ: Brawner reminds soldiers to remain loyal to Constitution amid Marcos-Duterte rift

"We just have to remind ourselves of the vow, yung panata na ginawa po natin nung tayo ay bagong pasok lamang sa serbisyo and up to now," the military chief said during a ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo.

"In that vow, sinabi po natin that we vow to defend the Constitution of the Philippines. That means that we have to follow the chain of command. Sinabi natin we are loyal to our country; we are loyal to our flag; we are loyal to our organization; and we are loyal to the Constitution." 

READ: Sara Duterte faces subpoena over kill plot vs Marcos

Asked to comment on former president Rodrigo Duterte's call for military intervention "to protect the Constitution" amid what he described as a "fractured" government, Padilla said the AFP would want to shun partisan politics. 

"The AFP acts as a barometer in all these issues," Padilla answered. "As our chief of staff has already stated, our AFP is united and professional. We respectfully request that we are shunned away from political issues."

"We assure the public that we trust that each member of the AFP remains professional in all of this. We request that we do not lose focus on the bigger challenge we are facing ahead," she added.

During a press briefing on Monday night, Duterte told the AFP to rethink their stand on supporting Marcos Jr., whom he called a drug addict.

READ: Duterte says row involving daughter ‘insignificant'; shrugs off calls for ‘people power'

The AFP spokesperson also assured that the Chain of Command remains "intact and secured."

"We call for calm and resolve, and for everyone to hold on to our values of respect and nationalism that will guide us through these trying times," Padilla said.

"We reiterate our need to stand together against those who will break our bonds as Filipinos," she added.

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