MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has relieved Col. Medel Aguilar from his post and placed him under restrictive custody following his public withdrawal of support from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his call for a probe into alleged corruption and governance issues.
The decision was announced on January 9, 2026, by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who cited “conduct unbecoming of an officer” and “acts prejudicial to good order and military discipline” as grounds for the relief.
Timeline of Events
- January 5, 2026 — Col. Aguilar released a video statement withdrawing support from President Marcos, citing corruption scandals (particularly the flood control mess), governance concerns, and calls for accountability.
- January 6 — AFP leadership summoned Aguilar for clarification.
- January 9 — Official relief order issued; he was replaced as commander of a key unit in Central Luzon.
Gen. Brawner emphasized:
“The AFP remains apolitical and subordinate to civilian authority. Any officer who publicly withdraws support or engages in acts that undermine the chain of command will be dealt with accordingly.”
The AFP stressed that the action is administrative and disciplinary, not political persecution, and that due process will be observed. Col. Aguilar has the right to file an appeal or face court-martial if formal charges are pursued.
Reactions
- Palace — No direct comment yet, but previous statements labeled similar calls as “irresponsible” and potentially destabilizing.
- Opposition — Sen. Risa Hontiveros called the relief “a chilling message to whistleblowers.”
- Human rights groups — Karapatan and other organizations expressed concern over the precedent for silencing dissent within the military.
Col. Aguilar’s case adds to the growing list of tensions between the Marcos administration and elements within the AFP, especially amid ongoing corruption probes and political realignments ahead of 2028.
Key Snapshot:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Officer Involved | Col. Medel Aguilar |
| Action Taken | Relieved from post, restrictive custody |
| Reason | Public withdrawal of support from Marcos; conduct unbecoming |
| Date | January 9, 2026 |
| AFP Stance | Apolitical institution; chain of command upheld |
The situation continues to unfold — watch for possible formal charges or further statements.