Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. declared on Wednesday that the military backs President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his fight against corruption.

The AFP Chief’s declaration comes in response to calls from retired generals to oust Marcos from power and the United People’s Initiative’s threat to continually stage demonstrations in front of Camp Aguinaldo.

In his statement, Brawner was adamant that he would not play politics, instead encouraging Filipinos to bring about change in a peaceful manner.

“Our soldiers are here to protect the nation—not to play politics. It’s also a call to trust that genuine reforms must come through peaceful and democratic means, never through shortcuts,” he wrote in a column.

He also defended his stance to protect the chain of command, saying it was not “blind obedience” but the exercise of discipline and respect for the Constitution.

Among the United People’s Initiative are retired Air Force General Romeo Poquiz and former Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Chief Orlando de Leon, known critics of the current administration and its policies concerning the West Philippine Sea (WPS).