THE chair emeritus of several civic groups, Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, on Tuesday denounced reports of an alleged plot to harm President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family, calling it a serious threat to national security and public order.
The claims surfaced after blogger Pebbles Cunanan alleged that certain individuals linked to supporters of the previous administration were discussing plans to target the President.
She also mentioned a so-called “Sara Army” allegedly training in Sorsogon. These claims, however, remain unverified.
Goitia said any act of violence against the country’s leader should be treated as a threat to the Republic itself.
“It’s not just about one man—it’s about our democracy and the stability of the nation,” he said.
He stressed that differences in political opinion do not justify violence, urging citizens to express dissent through lawful means. “We argue with words, not with weapons,” Goitia said.
Goitia also called on authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, warning against politicizing the issue or spreading unverified information online.
“Protecting the President means protecting the institutions that keep our democracy intact,” he said, urging Filipinos to remain vigilant, responsible, and united against any attempt to sow fear or division.
Goitia serves as chair emeritus of four civic-oriented organizations: Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, through which he continues to advance the causes of sovereignty, reform, and the dignity of the Filipino people. (Maria Son)