FACT CHECK: AFP did not withdraw support for Marcos; Duterte not proclaimed president

Claim: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has officially withdrawn its support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., leading to the proclamation of Vice President Sara Duterte as the new president.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The post has already received 1,300 reactions, 455 comments, and 120 shares as of writing. It was posted on April 18, amid the House hearing on Duterte’s impeachment. 

The post shows a photo of Duterte and another image of her beside uniformed personnel. Photos of AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. and Marcos are also included in the composite image. 

The text reads, “New president na! AFP bumaliktad na! Good news! Kinausap na si VP Sara!”

(New president! AFP has switched sides! Good news! They have already spoken to VP Sara!)

Most of the comments believed the claim. One even wrote, “Buti naman natauhan na ang mga sundalo, dapat noon pa para palayasin na si Marcos sa Palasyo.”

(Good thing the soldiers came to their senses. They should have kicked Marcos out of the Palace long ago.)

The facts: There are no official statements from the AFP indicating that they have shifted their allegiance from Marcos to Duterte, and the post provides no proof for its claim. Marcos remains the president of the Philippines.

The post revives an old false claim about alleged attempts by state forces to topple the Marcos administration. In October 2025, amid nationwide anti-corruption protests, Rappler debunked a post claiming that the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) had allegedly withdrawn support for Marcos.

However, Brawner denied rumors of a coup, saying that while several retired officials urged the armed forces to withdraw their loyalty from the government, the AFP stood firm and rejected the said calls.

No withdrawal of support: In January, Colonel Audie Mongao, a senior military officer, was removed from his post after reportedly posting an online statement withdrawing his support for Marcos. While the AFP said it took “note” of Mongao’s statement “expressing his personal political views,” the AFP stressed that it remains united and professional.

“While the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, all personnel of the Armed Forces are reminded of their duty to observe the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and respect for the non partisan nature of the military service, especially in public discourse,” Philippine Army Spokesperson Dema-ala said.

In January, the AFP and PNP also affirmed their dedication to national security and thanked the Marcos administration for the increased budget allocation under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. 

More recently, the AFP shrugged off claims of a supposed destabilization plot, saying there were no validated reports for the allegations.

Impeachment: The false post circulated amid the House justice committee’s hearing on Duterte’s impeachment, which later found probable cause to impeach the Vice President.

The hearing was part of a renewed impeachment drive against Duterte, after the Supreme Court barred impeachment proceedings against her in 2025.

Previous fact-checks: Rappler has previously debunked similar false claims about state forces’ alleged withdrawal of support and Duterte’s taking over of the presidency: 

• FACT CHECK: No martial law declaration over army colonel’s ‘withdrawal of support’
  FACT CHECK: AFP, PNP did not withdraw support for Marcos 
• FACT CHECK: AFP denies withdrawing support for Marcos government 
• FACT CHECK: AFP did not withdraw support for Marcos 
• FACT CHECK: Marcos remains president; Sara Duterte stays as VP 
• FACT CHECK: No, Sara Duterte won’t be proclaimed president over Marcos health rumors 

– Angelee Kaye Abelinde/Rappler.com 

Angelee Kaye Abelinde is a student journalist based in Naga City, and an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024. 

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