Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr recently signed an executive order removing key members of the Duterte family from the National Security Council.
This decision aims to ensure the council can adapt to evolving national security challenges amid rising political tensions.
The purge reflects fears of pro-Duterte forces, particularly from vice-president Sara Duterte-Carpio, regarding a potential coup.
Shifts in the council’s composition are linked to the geopolitical climate, especially as the Philippines seeks to strengthen relations with the USA over China.
The political shake-up occurs as the country navigates two concurrent cold wars: one between powerful political families and another between global superpowers.