THE Military and Uniformed Personnel for United Philippines (MUP-UP), an alliance of retired soldiers, police officers, and other uniformed service members, denounced what it described as threats to revoke or suspend their pensions following their participation in anti-corruption campaigns.

In a statement released over the weekend and through posts on its official social media pages, MUP-UP said the alleged intimidation tactics were “unpatriotic” and undermined the constitutional rights of retired personnel to civic engagement and freedom of expression.

The group maintained that its advocacy for transparency and accountability was lawful, peaceful, and rooted in the same values that guided members during active service.

“To threaten the pensions we rightfully earned after decades of service is to betray those very principles and to discourage others from demanding transparency,” it said.

The retirees’ statements surfaced after reports that the government was studying potential pension sanctions for retired officials accused of spreading “misinformation” or making “seditious” remarks against state institutions.

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Several MUP-UP members expressed concern that such measures were being used to silence critics of corruption.

“Those who served the country with honor and loyalty should not be threatened for advocating clean governance,” read a statement posted on the MUP 4 United PH – Military and Uniformed Personnel (MUP) “Serving Still” page. “Threatening our pensions is not patriotism — it is fear of the truth. We remain loyal to the Republic, not to corruption.”

In related discussion threads, retirees said they viewed the threats as attempts to stifle dissent within their ranks. “We have every right to call out wrongdoing in government,” one commenter said. “Our loyalty did not end when we retired — it continues in protecting the Constitution.”

Defense and military officials disputed MUP-UP’s claims. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) dismissed the reports as “baseless and misleading,” saying that no official order or proposal had been issued to penalize or suspend pensions of retired personnel over political statements.

AFP spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the military “respects the rights of retirees to free speech” but reminded former service members to exercise such rights responsibly and in a manner that does not “erode public trust in the institution or promote disinformation.”

“The AFP does not and will not sanction any move to revoke pensions on the basis of opinion or advocacy,” Trinidad said in a text message to reporters. “Our retirees remain part of the military family, and we acknowledge their invaluable service to the nation. We only ask that they use their platforms to promote unity and truth.”

The Department of National Defense (DND) echoed the AFP’s position, saying it has not authorized any inquiry or administrative action targeting retirees’ pensions.

In a separate statement, DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the department “values open discourse and constructive criticism” but cautioned against the “spread of false information that could harm institutional integrity.”

Malacañang also denied any directive to suppress dissent, saying any disciplinary action involving pensions would require “due process and adherence to existing laws.”

The MUP-UP reiterated its call for authorities to look into the reported threats and engage the organization in dialogue rather than intimidation.

It also urged the media and civil society groups to help protect the rights of retired personnel and ensure that those who served the nation can continue to advocate for accountability without fear.

“Retirement does not mean silence,” MUP-UP said. “Those who defended democracy in uniform will continue to defend it as citizens.”