Amid the rising political turmoil, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said there is no threat monitored within the military organization.

"The monitoring within the AFP continues and so far we don't see any threat coming from within the AFP. I believe that our soldiers are well disciplined and professionals," Brawner said in an interview on Monday.

"Coming from the commanders from the ground they said, they don't see any threat inside," he added.

On Tuesday, the Senate ordered its personnel to work from home starting Wednesday until Thursday after getting reports of a security threat. Reporters were told to leave the premises.

In a statement on Tuesday, Senator Panfilo Lacson voiced concern that "growing frustration within the armed services could pose a risk if it is exploited by unscrupulous and power-hungry destabilizers."

Citing "sketchy and raw" information, Lacson said the "potential threat stemmed from the power play in the Senate, as well as the flood control anomalies, inflation and rising oil prices, among others."

"As per information, though still sketchy and raw, the level of frustration within the armed services has reached up to battalion and regional levels," said Lacson, who used to head the Philippine National Police.

"The danger is, if some unscrupulous and power-hungry destabilizers among some aligned political groups would take advantage by fanning the flame of discontent, rightly or wrongly, which could trigger widespread mass movements and protests," he added.

Brawner said the military is aware of what is happening but he also noted that it is not part of the mandate of the AFP to interfere with politics.

"We are neither blind nor deaf. We know what is happening. However, it is not our mandate to interfere in politics; that is not our role, and from what we can see, the democratic processes are functioning—hearings are being conducted and the proper procedures are taking place," he said. Robina Asido/PHS