The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clarified Friday that all Senate witnesses in the controversial flood control project acted in their private capacities and not on behalf of the military.
In a message to the media on Viber, AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said that although they have been described as Marines or ex-Marines, it is important to remember that they are no longer in active military service.
“It is important to note that they were no longer in active military service at the time of the acts and allegations being discussed. These were undertaken in their private capacities and not on behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Trinidad said.
He said that clarification should also be made regarding the witnesses since not all of them are former members of the Philippine Marines.
Trinidad pointed out that the use of the term “Marines” may inadvertently imply the participation of the AFP or the Philippine Marines as institutions.
“For accuracy, we respectfully encourage the use of the individuals’ names, or simply refer to them as witnesses, affiants, or former staff/bodyguards of the concerned personalities, as appropriate,” he said.
