Philippine Navy warns against threats to military command

The Philippine Navy is urging its members to remain professional following the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad warned that both domestic and foreign groups could try to use Duterte's situation to undermine the military's authority. During a press briefing, Trinidad expressed concerns that interest groups might attempt to spread misinformation to create distrust within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism in light of these potential threats. AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla added that there have been no reports of personnel resigning after Duterte’s arrest. Last week, Duterte was served an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial drug war. He is currently in custody, awaiting trial in September. Padilla also indicated that AFP members caught spreading false information online would face consequences. The AFP has set policies regarding social media use, and personnel who violate these rules could be sanctioned. She noted that while some accounts may spread misinformation, the military will rely on law enforcement to handle the broader issue. Duterte is currently being held in The Hague, Netherlands, and recently participated in a pre-trial hearing via video call. His drug war policies have been heavily criticized, with human rights groups estimating the death toll could be as high as 20,000.