National Security Adviser and Director General, National Security Council
PUBLIC HEARING OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
20 March 2025 | Senate of the Philippines
Good afternoon, everyone. I’d like to start by thanking the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Senator Imee R. Marcos, for the opportunity to clarify the truth about what transpired during the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and other related matters.
I believe this is also a good venue for me and my fellow officials to clarify what really happened and to debunk and dispel false accusations and fake narratives that have misled the public about this issue. As government officials, it is our duty to be truthful and to assure the public that our actions are proper and in accordance with the law.
I for one have been the victim of a relentless disinformation campaign aimed at destroying the integrity and credibility I have carefully built in over 4 decades of public service which began the day I entered the hallowed halls of the Philippine Military Academy. While public officials are not supposed to be thin-skinned, I rolled with the
punches for several days, however, the time has come to air my side. Therefore, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak before the Senate and present the truth.
As a former member of the Cabinet of the Duterte Administration, it is also very hard for me to see the former president arrested. I worked closely with former President Duterte for so many years through the most serious crisis the country faced and we have developed and nurtured a personal friendship. He trusted and respected me in the same way I trusted and respected him even after our terms ended in 2022.
I retired from public service when former President Duterte ended his term. However, the repeated calls for public service came again and six (6) months after my retirement, I was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to be his National Security Adviser.
I saw in my new appointment the continuation of my service to the Filipino people across different administrations. As a soldier, my loyalty has always been to the Constitution and the chain of command. This has always been my principle when I served as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army under President Noynoy Aquino, then as AFP Chief of Staff and later, as Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government under President Duterte, and now as National Security Adviser under President Marcos, Jr.
In each position I held under several administrations, I never play politics, I do not have a political agenda, nor do I have nor will I have political ambitions. I’ve uphold the same principle in my role as National Security Adviser and Director General of the National Security Council.
Thus, I’d like to state for the record, that my role was limited to the mandate of my office to – ensure that the situation does not escalate into a national security concern. The implementation of the ICC warrant is beyond my mandate and I have no part in it.
May I also state for the record, that I am not aware of any core group, nor am I a member of such group that allegedly planned and prepared for the arrest of former President Duterte. In fact, it was only on Tuesday morning, March 11, 2025, that I learned that there was already an INTERPOL Red Notice and that the ICC arrest warrant will be served.
There was also no intelligence operation. The former president’s presence in Hong Kong, even his return to the country was a public knowledge since it was heavily reported in both mainstream and social media.
It is utterly unacceptable and unfair that my name is being dragged into an alleged “grand conspiracy.” I firmly deny any allegations of a grand conspiracy. In fact, the events on March 11 were spontaneous.
As NSA, I was merely doing my job. However, I face all these accusations against my honor and integrity with a firm resolve, knowing that I am on the side of the truth and I was simply doing what I had to do. And In doing so, I upheld the truth, justice, and the rule of law.
Again, my loyalty is always to the country, the Constitution, and not to any person.
Thank you, Madame Chair. ###
){kind=link}