Former Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV files a second plunder case at the Department of Justice on August 7, 2024, against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Bong Go, and other individuals involved in the alleged anomalous implementation of the Php16 billion Philippine Navy Frigate Acquisition Project. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Senior military officers remain “solidly behind” President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. following a challenge posed by his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help “correct” the country’s “fractured government," according to former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, citing their monitoring. 

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Trillanes added that while Duterte has some “sympathizers” in the AFP, he doubts they would risk their career and freedom to take up the former President on his challenge.

“Based sa monitoring namin. Mayroong may simpatiya kay Duterte, pero to actually risk their lives, freedom and their careers para sa kanya, I seriously doubt that at this point,” Trillanes said.

“Siguro mga less than 5 percent... mga junior officers, mid-ranking. Mga senior officers, so far, they are solidly behind the president,” he noted.

Still, Trillanes, advised authorities not to be complacent.

“Advise ko sa awtoridad, wag magkumpyansa. Kailangan siguruhin na walang makukuhang officers ang mga Duterte, kasi malaking problema yan. Kailangan continuous monitoring,” the former Senator said.

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“Huwag natin maliitin. Kasi any political crisis na mangyari, pwede i-take advantage ‘yan. Kasi nangyari na ‘yan. We saw that happen sa EDSA II. Nagsimula nang maliit. Walang pumansin. Kumpyansa ang administration, very popular. But after a few months, tanggal. So kailangan magmatyag," he added.

The bottom line, Trillanes said, is that the Dutertes should "never get back to power."

"Bottomline, hindi na dapat makabalik sa pwesto itong mga Duterte, kasi malaking perwisyo ang ginagawa nito sa bayan."

Trillanes said Duterte’s statement could be considered “inciting to sedition”.

“That’s a crime. Inciting to sedition. Kailangan managot siya dyan,” he told the media.

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