The AFP's involvement in screening election candidates raises concerns about military involvement in politics.
In response to a reporter's inquiry during a recent media briefing, Armed Forces of the Philippines ( AFP ) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. revealed that the AFP is conducting background checks on individuals aspiring to run in the upcoming May midterm elections.
This announcement, while intended to reassure the public about the government's commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process, has raised significant concerns about the military's involvement in the political arena. General Brawner stated that the AFP 'will check all candidates, including their background. If we find red tags, we will inform the Commission on Elections (Comelec) about this.' He alluded to the need to prevent a recurrence of the previous election cycle, where a candidate, later identified as Alice Guo, was able to successfully conceal her true identity and affiliations. Guo, originally identified as a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping, was flagged by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) as an 'agent of influence' allegedly working to sway public opinion and policy in favor of China. Both Guo and the Chinese government have vehemently denied these allegations.The responsibility of ensuring that only eligible candidates participate in elections rests with the Comelec. The Guo case exposed a potential vulnerability in the system, highlighting the possibility that determined infiltrators might evade detection. While it might seem practical for the Comelec to leverage the AFP's and Philippine National Police's (PNP's) intelligence capabilities, the mere presence of the military within the electoral process, regardless of its intentions, raises serious concerns. A fundamental tenet of a democratic system is the principle of military apoliticism. This entails not merely abstaining from endorsing specific politicians or factions but also avoiding any position that could potentially compromise their neutrality.The current plan outlined by General Brawner does not appear to pose a direct and overt threat to free and fair elections. There is no reason to doubt the integrity of the AFP leadership and personnel. However, the inherent nature of their involvement presents an opportunity, however remote, for potential interference. For instance, AFP investigators could inadvertently or intentionally submit damaging reports to the Comelec regarding candidates they deem unfavorable, potentially leading to their disqualification. The only safeguard against such scenarios relies on the unwavering professionalism and adherence to duty by the men and women of the AFP. While we trust their loyalty to their oath, the possibility of human fallibility or external pressures cannot be entirely discounted. A system dependent on personal integrity rather than a robust institutional framework inherently remains vulnerable to exploitation.It is crucial to reiterate that this analysis is not intended to incite alarm or uncertainty about the safety of the upcoming elections. The risk of foreign interference, exemplified by the Guo Hua Ping case, is a serious concern that requires vigilance. However, the potential for military interference, while acknowledged, remains relatively low and hypothetical in comparison. Consequently, the current course of action seems justifiable in mitigating the immediate threat.Despite this, the government must conduct a thorough review of the existing election safeguard framework after the May elections. This assessment should identify the factors that have led to the military's perceived necessity in ensuring electoral integrity, a situation unique among democratic systems and a matter of concern. Whether the solution involves bolstering the Comelec's resources, implementing a comprehensive overhaul, or exploring alternative approaches, it should be a top priority in the lead-up to the 2028 elections.
Philippines Elections Military AFP Comelec Foreign Interference Democratic System Guo Hua Ping National Security
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