MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would not conduct a "loyalty check" on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid the alleged link of some active soldiers in the plot to assassinate him, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro on Thursday said.
In a press briefing, Castro said President trusts the AFP amid the testimony of NBI Director Melvin Matibag before the Senate Impeachment Court that active soldiers were among the 20 persons of interest in the NBI's probe on the alleged plan of Vice President Sara Duterte to kill Marcos.
The Palace Press Officer said she was not aware whether Matibag's revelation has already reached the President. "But definitely, this [infornation] had already been given to the security of the President," she said in Filipino.
"So, the trust of the President on our soldiers is still there. But if there would be anyyone who would turn away from their mandate, they must be identified for the protection of the President," Castro said.
"The President knows who to trust. There is no ongoing loyalty check. It is up to the security [team of the President] and the leadership of the armed forces," Castro added.
