AFP: No rift with Marcos; China-linked posts part of disinformation

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday denied claims circulating on Chinese platforms alleging a supposed rift with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying the posts are part of a disinformation drive aimed at undermining national unity.

AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, now a reservist, said the narratives falsely suggested a breakdown in relations between the AFP and Marcos following a reported shooting at the Senate.

“These narratives are blatant influence operations designed to manufacture internal division where none exists,” Trinidad said in a statement.

On May 13, gunshots were reported inside the Senate compound that prompted a lockdown of the upper chamber.

READ: Suspended Senate security chief contests gunfire CCTV footage

Authorities later said the incident involved personnel from the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and individuals present at the complex. Inquiries were launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Trinidad said the AFP remains “unified” under the constitutional chain of command.

“We urge the public to dismiss these destabilizing foreign narratives and rely only on official, verified information,” he said. /mcm