A senior officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) publicly withdrew his personal support for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., triggering a swift military investigation and his immediate relief from command.
From Public Statement to Military Investigation
The incident began when a statement attributed to Colonel Audie A. Mongao circulated online on Friday, January 9, 2026. In the post, the officer declared he was withdrawing his personal support for the President and Commander-in-Chief, ending with the phrase "Sobra na, tama na! The Filipino people are worth fighting for."
In response, the AFP acted quickly. On Thursday night, January 8, even before the public statement appeared, Colonel Mongao was relieved from his post as Commander of the Training Support Group under the AFP Training Command (Tracom). He was placed as an attached and unassigned officer under the Office of the Tracom Commander pending an investigation.
Voluntary Return to Military Control
The situation developed further on the evening of Friday, January 9. Major General Michael G. Logico, commander of Tracom, announced that Colonel Mongao had voluntarily submitted himself back to military control at 7:30 PM after the two had a lengthy discussion.
"He is fully cooperating with our investigation," stated General Logico, who emphasized that Mongao's welfare remained a command priority despite the administrative actions taken. The general had personally reached out to the officer, as Mongao remained under his responsibility.
Upholding Military Discipline and Neutrality
The Philippine Army verified the authenticity of the online post and formally acknowledged it as an expression of Colonel Mongao's personal political views. Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala used the incident to reiterate the strict ethical standards governing military personnel.
While soldiers enjoy constitutional rights as citizens, Dema-ala reminded all that members of the AFP are bound by professional standards requiring political neutrality and strict adherence to the chain of command. The investigation aims to determine what administrative or legal charges may be filed in relation to the statement.
General Logico confirmed that the relief from command was implemented immediately to preserve institutional discipline while the facts were verified. He also affirmed that the Philippine Army remains "steadfast behind our mandate, loyal to the Constitution and the chain of command." As of the latest updates, the AFP has not issued a separate official statement beyond the pronouncements made by Army officials.
