President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the graduates of the Philippine Military Academy “Talang Dangal” Class of 2026 to steer clear of politics, emphasizing that their loyalty should remain with the country and not with any individual or ideology.
Speaking during the commencement exercises at Fort General Gregorio H. del Pilar in Baguio City, Marcos reminded the new military officers that their duty is to protect the Republic amid growing political tensions surrounding Senator Ronald dela Rosa.
“As you take your oath today, remember that your loyalty is not to any political interest, not to any individual, nor any passing ideology. Your loyalty must always remain with the Republic of the Philippines,” Marcos said.
The President also underscored the importance of integrity and critical thinking as the military confronts evolving security threats and modern warfare.
“Your ability to discern truth from deception is crucial to making sound decisions. But beyond your skills, the true strength of a soldier will always be rooted in integrity, discipline, and honor,” he added.
Marcos’ remarks came days after dela Rosa, a member of the PMA Sinagtala Class of 1986, appealed to fellow academy alumni and uniformed personnel to defend the country’s sovereignty amid the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court.
During a live interview on “Unang Balita,” dela Rosa sang portions of the PMA Hymn while calling on military and police graduates to oppose what he described as foreign interference.
The senator later left the Senate’s protective custody early Thursday following tensions inside the Senate compound, where gunshots were reportedly fired.
Amid the controversy, the PMA Alumni Association called on its members to remain calm and non-partisan during the ongoing public discussions involving dela Rosa.
Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. downplayed fears that the Senate incident could lead to destabilization, saying he had instructed troops to remain focused on their duties and “leave politics to politicians.”
