Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. declined to identify government officials he said were allegedly sympathetic to China, despite a public challenge from Vice President Sara Duterte to name them.
In an interview, Teodoro said the Department of National Defense (DND) follows strict institutional rules and relies on objective criteria, including Administrative Order No. 29, when addressing such matters.
He said the DND does not publicly identify individuals without sufficient evidence, citing operational security and established agency procedures as reasons for withholding names.
Teodoro said adherence to institutional procedures is essential to maintaining public trust in government institutions.
The defense chief had earlier said the DND is monitoring individuals who not only oppose Administrative Order No. 29 but also refuse to recognize it.
He also emphasized that the department does not label Filipinos based solely on their beliefs and does not engage in practices such as red-tagging.
Vice President Duterte earlier challenged Teodoro to identify the officials he claimed were siding with China in relation to the West Philippine Sea issue.
According to Duterte, Teodoro should clarify who those officials are because, without naming anyone, suspicion could extend even to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Teodoro previously said government officials who do not support the country’s policy on the West Philippine Sea should consider resigning.
Meanwhile, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte also questioned Teodoro’s statement, saying elected officials derive their mandate from the people and not from the defense secretary.
The exchange marks the latest public disagreement over government positions related to the West Philippine Sea and the handling of allegations involving public officials.
