THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday rejected a lawmaker's call for the military to withdraw its support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., while colleagues of Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez warned him that his action was tantamount to inciting to rebellion.

Alvarez on Sunday night urged the AFP to withdraw support for President Marcos, presumably to head off a conflict with China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and said he was merely exercising this right to free speech.

Alvarez, a known ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, made his call during a rally of Duterte supporters in Tagum City.

​Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez. File Photo

AFP spokesman Col. Francel Margareth Padilla was quick to respond, saying, "The AFP reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism, loyalty to the Constitution and strict adherence to the chain of command."

Padilla said soldiers adhere to their task to protect the country's sovereignty and territory.

"Our soldiers, pilots, sailors and marines remain dedicated to our mandate of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Philippines, regardless of any political affiliations or individuals in authority," Padilla said. "Our duty is to protect the Filipino people and uphold the rule of law, ensuring that peace and development will prevail throughout the nation."

"We will continue to fulfill these responsibilities with integrity, impartiality, and utmost dedication," Padilla said.

Alvarez said the AFP's constitutional duty was to protect their countrymen amid the rising tension between the Philippines and China.

He said the country should not wait for a war to ensue, which could lead to destruction and famine.

Alvarez served as speaker of the House of Representatives when Duterte was president between 2016 and 2018 but was later unseated by former president and now Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

President Marcos has been more assertive of the country's rights in the WPS and has pushed back against Chinese aggression in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, unlike Duterte, whose policy was to appease Beijing.

Lawmakers chided Alvarez for his call.

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said Alvarez's call for the armed forces to withdraw its support for President Marcos was "tantamount to an act of sedition or rebellion."

"Now is not the time to be divisive when we are trying to promote our country to be an investment haven to foreign investors. Instead, we should all unite and give our support to President Bongbong Marcos Jr. with his effort for economic reforms," Pimentel said.

Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo urged the Department of Justice (DoJ) to investigate Alvarez in light of his recent statement.

"The response to the seditious statement should be the immediate filing of a criminal case so that the move to incite people, including the military, to rebel against the government will be nipped in the bud," Romualdo said.

Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Khalid Dimaporo said Alvarez might face a probe by the House of Representatives Ethics Committee.

"I would kindly urge the former speaker to be cautious with his words and clear on his intent. At face value, his anti-government statements are unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives and may warrant an ethics case against him," Dimaporo said.

He said it was up to the executive department to decide what to do with Alvarez.

"Our country has other more pressing matters for the DoJ to attend to than the grumblings of a politician," Dimaporo said.

Alvarez said he respects the AFP stand.