Philippine Army denies Lacson claims on military discontent, destab plots

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June 10, 2026 | 6:34pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army rejected the claims of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson about the alleged growing discontent among its members that may trigger destabilization plots.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 10, the Philippine Army assured the public that the concerns and welfare of its soldiers are being addressed and taken care of by its leadership.

“The morale and welfare of our troops remain our paramount consideration. Through responsive leadership, continuous engagement, and institutional support, we ensure that our personnel remain motivated, professional, and focused on their mission,” the statement read.

Growing frustration in the armed services?

This came as a response to Lacson’s earlier claims that frustration among members of the armed services is growing and may be taken advantage of by “unscrupulous, power-hungry groups and destabilizers”.

“I am not saying our uniformed services are unprofessional. But in the middle of confusion, they may mistake unscrupulous groups for their allies,” Lacson said in an interview with dzMM.

Lacson said he is not dismissing the possibility that the presence of the 18 bagmen in the Senate on Monday, despite not attending the consultation meeting conducted by the Blue Ribbon Committee under Sen. Erwin Tulfo’s leadership, “could be used as part of a broader effort to sow chaos and trigger destabilization”.

“It is possible that armed elements not from the uniformed services could create confusion and sow chaos – including a possible shooting. You can just imagine the chaos and anarchy, and this can trigger a destabilizing event,” Lacson said.

On Tuesday, June 9, Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian ordered a work-from-home arrangement for Senate employees on June 10 to 11 after the National Bureau of Investigation relayed information about a possible threat to safety.

The threat, according to Lacson, was allegedly rooted in issues of corruption, particularly the flood control mess and Senate leadership issues.

“As per information, though still sketchy and raw, the level of frustration within the armed services has reached up to battalion and regional levels,” Lacson said.

The Philippine Army, however, assured its non-partisanship in its statement.

“As a disciplined and professional organization, the Philippine Army stands firm in our oath of service. We are a non-partisan organization and will not intervene in any political activity. Our commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law is unwavering,” its statement said. — with Adrian Parungao.