Manila: There is no truth to claims that the reorganization of the National Security Council (NSC) was triggered by a rift within the security sector, an official said Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya addressed these allegations during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, suggesting that they originated from progressive groups. “Mukhang galing ito sa Makabayan Bloc, Bayan Muna. Alam mo naman ang ating mga kaibigan dyan, they see things where there is none. Naghahanap ng mga isyu para pag-awayin ‘yung mga nasa pamahalaan (This seems to have come from the Makabayan Bloc, Bayan Muna. You know how our friends are, they see things where there is none. They are looking for issues to have those in the government fight one another),” Malaya said.

Malaya further stated that the allegations of a rift are baseless, emphasizing that uniformed and other government personnel fully support the duly constituted authority and the chain of command. He noted that most complaints and adverse comments on social media come from retired military officers.

“Wala pong mga incumbent or current officials of the Armed Forces na hindi sumusuporta sa chain of command. Nasisiguro ko po ‘yan. So sa atin pong mga nagsasabi, mga kritiko na nagsasabi na the NSC’s reorganization is part or indicative of a rift within the security sector malabo po ‘yan. Wala po ‘yang katotohanan (There are no incumbent or current officials of the Armed Forces who do not support the chain of command, I am sure of that. So those who are saying that, the critics of the NSC’s reorganization, that it part of indicative of a rift within the security sector, there is no truth to that),” Malaya said.

He accused the groups making these claims of seeking media attention ahead of the midterm elections. “Kailangan nasa balita sila na madalas dahil kailangan nila ng (they need to be in the news often because they need) media mileage,” Malaya added.

Malaya concluded by stating that the President has the authority to reorganize the NSC, as it is an advisory body to the President, and past presidents have exercised similar discretion.