President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has firmly rejected allegations of conducting ‘loyalty checks’ within the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). Speaking at a press conference in Malacañang, Marcos expressed confusion over the term ‘loyalty check,’ stating that such practices are not part of the military or police protocol during command conferences. He dismissed the notion as a ‘stupid question’ often brought up by the media, emphasizing that no such checks are conducted under his administration.
The President’s comments came after he presided over a significant meeting of the National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) at Camp Crame, where key security officials, including Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, and AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., gathered to discuss critical issues. The agenda included preparations for the 2025 midterm elections, the current state of peace and order across the nation, and strategies to combat the operations of Philippine offshore gaming operators.
As the year draws to a close, Marcos assessed the state of the nation as ‘quite stable,’ despite what he described as ‘a lot of noise.’ He reassured the public that the government is functioning effectively, suggesting that the criticisms and concerns raised in various quarters are merely distractions and not reflective of the country’s true condition.