The leadership of Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday assured presumptive next president Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of its support.

In a statement, the AFP said it was ready to implement Duterte’s peace and security policies.

“The AFP, as professional military organization, respects the choice of the Filipino people and will remain solid behind the Constitution and our democratic institutions,” the AFP said in a press statement.

“We will follow our Commander-in-Chief and will implement the new President’s peace and security policies, especially those that will bring the conflicts that ail the country for decades to their just end,” it added.

With most of the election returns already received by the Commission on Elections, Duterte continues to lead the presidential race based on partial and unofficial tallies as seen in Comelec-GMA mirror server.

His rivals Senator Grace Poe and former Interior secretary Mar Roxas have already conceded to him.

In earlier interviews, Duterte said that he was planning to form a revolutionary government if elected president.

He has also admitted close ties with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.

National Democratic Front chief political consultant Jose Maria Sison has expressed hope of ending his exile under the administration of Duterte.

“I will return to the Philippines if Duterte fulfils his promise to visit me,” he was quoted as saying.

Acting AFP chief of staff Lieutenant Glorioso Miranda refused to comment if the AFP would arrest Sison if ever he returns to the country.

“Well, the best answer for that is, as you said, we’ve been fighting for democracy and it’s a democratic country. Lahat ng tao, kung ano man ang karapatan dapat gawin ay gagawin nila. We cannot comment on that,” he said in a press conference.

Miranda said that the AFP would support the peace process.

“Well, the AFP from the very start has been very active dito sa peace process. Tulad nga nung sinabi ko nung nag assume ako na acting chief of staff of the AFP, the first best option in conflict resolution is always through the peaceful means,” Miranda said.

“Yun lang ang masasabi ko. That is the stand of the AFP, best first option is a peaceful process,” he added. (GMA)