NSC Official Denies Rift Allegations Amid Reorganization

MANILA – Jonathan Malaya, Assistant Director General of the National Security Council (NSC), firmly rejected claims 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 accusations 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 the alleged rift has no foundation, asserting that all uniformed and government personnel are fully supportive of the established authority and command structure. He noted that criticisms often stem from retired military officers rather than current officials. Malaya dismissed the notion that the NSC’s reorganization reflects internal strife, insisting that such claims are baseless. He accused the groups making these allegations of seeking media attention ahead of the midterm elections. Furthermore, Malaya clarified that the President has the authority to reorganize the NSC, an advisory body, at any time, as previous presidents have done.