Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday urged former president Rodrigo R. Duterte to stop insulting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in their performance of professional mandates.

In a statement, Bersamin condemned the former president’s call for the AFP to betray their oath by staging a coup d’etat against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., describing it as a “great and evil length” act and an affront to military professionalism.

“And he will go to great and evil lengths, such as insulting our professional armed forces by asking them to betray their oath, for his plan to succeed,” Executive Secretary Bersamin said.

“Nakakagulat ang garapalang panawagan ni dating Pangulong Duterte sa ating sandatahang lakas na maglunsad ng kudeta laban kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” he added.

Bersamin also advised Duterte to respect and obey the Constitution, urging him to refrain from irresponsible and unbecoming actions.

“The former president should respect the Constitution, not disobey it. He should desist from being as irresponsible as he has become.” | PND