NSC Official Denies Allegations of Internal Rift Prompting Reorganization

MANILA – Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Director General of the National Security Council (NSC), firmly rejected assertions that the recent NSC restructuring was due to internal conflicts within the security sector. Speaking at a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, Malaya suggested that these claims were fabricated by progressive factions, specifically pointing to the Makabayan Bloc and Bayan Muna. He criticized these groups for stirring up non-existent issues to provoke discord among government officials. Malaya emphasized that according to these groups’ statements, the reorganization supposedly highlighted a growing divide within the security sector, a claim he dismissed as baseless. He affirmed that all uniformed and government personnel remain fully supportive of the established authority and command structure. Malaya also noted that criticisms on social media often originate from retired military officers, not current officials, who he assured are completely aligned with the chain of command. He accused the groups making these allegations of seeking media attention in the run-up to the midterm elections. Malaya concluded by stating that the President has the authority to reorganize the NSC at any time, as it serves as an advisory body to the President, and such actions are within the President’s discretionary powers.