MANILA, Philippines - The military on Wednesday said it is hoping for a speedy investigation of retired Col. Generoso Mariano's statement that ordinary Filipinos, including soldiers, can replace the government if it fails to implement change.

Asked if the investigation would be concluded within the week, AFP spokesperson Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez said: “Yan ang iniisip namin. Yan ang iniisip namin. Sana matapos kaagad. Para we can put that to rest, we can move on.”

Rodriguez said Mariano has requested for a counsel of choice.

"I understand he has lawyers representing him, and the investigation is now proceeding. We are requesting that this be expedited. This is also the instruction of [Navy chief] Admiral [Alexander] Pama, our Flag Officer-In-Command, so that all the questions that have been raised by the video tape will be answered expeditiously  and the right of the people to know will be served,” he told reporters after the “Pilipinas Natin” pre-SONA forum held in Malacanang.
 
Whether Mariano would get his retirement benefits would depend on the recommendations of the investigating committee, he added.
 
During the forum, Rodriguez said the AFP is also surprised why Mariano issued the statement, saying there is no reason for any member of the military to call for a change in government.
 
“We’re very interested why Colonel Mariano did it. Unang una, kaibigan din namin si Colonel Mariano. And then we’re trying to find out, sino ba ang may sentiments na ganoon? Wala e. Tapos magre-retire na siya ginawa pa niya yun,” Rodriguez said.
 
“At this time, there is no reason for any reason of any member of the Armed Forces [to do that]. May bahay ka na 200 pesos a month, saan ka kukuha nun? Meron kang weapons na upgraded and meron kang support sa iyong Pangulo, what more can you ask for?”
 
Rodriguez said it is not the role of men in uniform to issue political statements.
 
“We cannot assure the people that there will no longer be any political statement. It’s the right of anybody to express himself and that is contained in the Constitution. But when you become a member of the Armed Forces, you subscribe to a bigger responsibility and you give up certain rights as an individual. Dito we are covered by the Articles of War. Tulad ng sinasabi ni Admiral Pama, discipline is non-negotiable. If you transgress you have to be accountable for your actions. Definitely, making political statements is not part of our role. Ang role namin napaka-simple. We take that from the Constitution: protect the people, secure the territory, uphold the sovereignty of state.”
 
He said military adventurism is a thing of the past.
 
“Yung sinasabi mo na military ang laging pinupuntahan? Not anymore, not anymore. Because these are things of the past, things that we have learned great lessons from. Ano ba ang nangyari, umusad ba tayo? Hindi naman e. The proper role of the military is to support civil government in development,” Rodriguez said.