Malacañang on Monday dismissed reports that a group of retired and active military generals are withdrawing support from President Rodrigo Duterte for his apathy toward Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea. “It’s nothing but an outrageous tale. We believe that all the military respect the Constitution and you know, it’s already time for politics. It’s just 12 months... before elections,” Roque said in a press briefing. The Palace official made the statement after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana dismissed a supposed statement of retired and active military officers withdrawing their support from Duterte due to his weak stance against China.

Barcelo, V. (2021, April 20). Rody: Withdrawal of military support an 'outrageous tale'. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.