AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S Brawner Jr – Armed Forces of the Philippines file photo
MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Friday, October 4, 2025, denied reports that the military was conspiring with retired generals and religious groups to unseat President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., calling the allegations baseless and potentially destabilizing.
Speaking at a forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), Brawner said he was “surprised” when he read an online article alleging a coup plot within the ranks.
“The coup rumors are not true. I myself was surprised when I saw the article,” Brawner said. “The Armed Forces remains professional, united, and loyal to the Constitution.”
Brawner cautioned that any attempt to overthrow a sitting president would reverse the country’s democratic gains and disrupt economic stability. “We have been through that before,” he said, referring to past uprisings that weakened investor confidence and divided the ranks. “We do not want to go back to those dark years.”
Appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 21, 2023, Brawner succeeded Gen. Andres Centino as AFP Chief of Staff in a change-of-command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo. Before assuming the top post, he served as Commanding General of the Philippine Army, AFP spokesperson, and Commandant of Cadets at the Philippine Military Academy, where he earned recognition for his focus on discipline and professionalism. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989.
AFP denies conspiracy but confirms outreach from retired officers
While dismissing coup allegations, Brawner acknowledged that some retired military officers had attempted to influence active-duty personnel by calling on them to withdraw support from the President.
“There were indeed calls to withdraw support,” he said in a separate interview. “But our soldiers are well-disciplined. Those calls did not gain ground.”
He emphasized that no active unit had expressed disloyalty and that the AFP’s chain of command remained intact. “The AFP is stronger and more cohesive than ever. We are focused on our constitutional duty to protect the people and the state,” he said.
Palace and defense officials echo message of unity
Malacañang dismissed the coup rumors as “dangerous disinformation” intended to sow distrust between the President and the military. In a statement, the Palace affirmed that President Marcos Jr. continues to have the full trust and confidence of the AFP.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also rejected the speculation, warning that rumor-mongering could undermine national security and morale within the ranks. “The Department of National Defense and the AFP are working together to preserve stability and public trust,” Teodoro said in a separate press statement.
Background: political tension and misinformation
The coup speculation surfaced amid heightened public scrutiny over alleged irregularities in multibillion-peso flood-control projects. Analysts note that similar misinformation campaigns have appeared in previous administrations, often during periods of political tension.
The AFP’s Public Affairs Office said it continues to monitor attempts to spread fabricated stories through social media and unverified blogs. “The peddling of fake news about coups and military unrest is an affront to our democracy,” it said in a statement.
A history of vigilance
Coup rumors have long shadowed Philippine politics, from the 1986 People Power uprising to failed military uprisings in the early 2000s. Experts say today’s AFP leadership, largely professionalized and trained after the Edsa era, is less likely to support extraconstitutional actions.
Retired officers who still enjoy influence in civic and veterans’ groups may attempt to shape public opinion, but analysts point out that the military institution itself has grown more cautious about political involvement.
In perspective
For now, Brawner’s public denial seeks to project calm and assure Filipinos that the military remains an anchor of stability amid political noise.
“We serve the people, not politics,” he said. “The Armed Forces stands by democracy and the rule of law.”
His statement underscores the AFP’s commitment to civilian authority and the democratic process, principles that remain vital to maintaining stability and public trust.
