AFP’s intel officers verifying list of alleged destabilizers – Palace

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

CAMP VISIT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. meets with officials of the Southern Luzon Command at Camp General Guillermo Nakar in Lucena City, Quezon on Nov. 29, 2024. Malacañang on Tuesday (Nov. 11, 2025) said the Armed Forces of the Philippines is validating information on the alleged destabilization efforts against the Marcos administration involving the Dutertes, military officers, and other personalities. (Photo: PNA)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is validating information on the alleged destabilization efforts against the Marcos administration involving the Dutertes, military officers, and other personalities, Malacañang said Tuesday.

This came after former columnist Ramon Tulfo, in a Facebook post on Monday, released a list of individuals allegedly being “watched” by the government for their supposed attempts to destabilize the government.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the names of individuals allegedly involved in destabilization efforts have been referred to the AFP’s intelligence community.

“Ayon po sa AFP, sa mga ganitong klaseng mga sinasabi – although ito ay nasa social media – ay ibinibigay na rin po nila sa kanilang intelligence community, minu-monitor, inaalam ang katotohanan (According to the AFP, while such claims are posted on social media, they are being referred to the intelligence community for monitoring and validation),” Castro said.

“Hindi naman po ibig sabihin na nasabi sa social media ay agad na dapat paniwalaan, kaya kailangan po nilang i-validate. At sa ngayon po, ayon sa AFP, ito po ay mino-monitor at ibinigay na po nila sa intelligence community nila (The AFP cautions that not everything posted online should be believed until verified. And now, according to the AFP, this is being monitored by the intelligence community).”

Citing his unnamed source, Tulfo tagged Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, and politician-businessman Chavit Singson as “possible financiers” in the alleged destabilization plot against the Marcos administration.

Tulfo also mentioned Senator Rodante Marcoleta, former executive secretary Vic Rodriquez, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, relieved Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, and retired military officers Romeo Poquiz, Orlando de Leon, and Johnny Macanas.

He added that the supposed involvement of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is still being confirmed.

When asked if the Palace considers the alleged destabilization reports a serious matter, Castro said the issue is already being handled by the intelligence community.

“Nasa intelligence community na po iyan. Kung mayroon silang makikitang dapat na talagang pagtuunan ng pansin, ito naman po ay hindi tutulugan ng ating Pangulo (That’s now with the intelligence community. If they find that the matter needs serious attention, the President will certainly act on it),” Castro said.

She said it is necessary to investigate the allegations involving retired generals and other individuals to determine whether their actions fall within the limits of free expression or are already part of a destabilization effort.

“Kailangan po talagang maimbestigahan ito kasi maaaring sabihin nila ito ay freedom of expression, pero muli, titingnan natin kung ano ang hangganan at kailangan po talaga itong mapaimbestigahan kung ito po ay parte na po talaga ng destabilization (This needs to be investigated because, while some may claim it is an exercise of free expression, we also have to determine its limits and whether it already constitutes part of a destabilization attempt),” she said.

Castro, also a lawyer, said it would be premature to conclude that any laws have been violated.

“Wala pa po tayong masasabi kung sila ay may nilalabag na batas. Kailangan pong maimbestigahan ito nang mas malaliman (We cannot yet say whether any laws have been violated. This must first be investigated thoroughly),” she said.