Metro Manila, Philippines – Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte accused Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of “demonizing China” after the defense chief said government officials who side with Beijing on the West Philippine Sea should consider resigning.
In a statement released on Saturday, Aug. 1, Duterte said elected officials derive their mandate from the Filipino people, not from the defense secretary. He argued that Teodoro should pursue legal action if he believes any public official has violated the law instead of publicly calling for their resignation.
Duterte also questioned Teodoro’s criticism of officials accused of being “pro-China,” saying patriotism should not be measured by political labels or by who speaks the loudest on issues involving the West Philippine Sea.
He argued there was no need to “demonize China,” noting that Beijing is not the only country with competing claims in the disputed waters.
The lawmaker also said the defense secretary’s responsibility is to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities rather than determine the loyalty of elected officials.
Duterte further criticized Teodoro’s remarks by raising the issue of the defense chief’s former dual citizenship and questioned whether public officials should be judged based on their family background, citing Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian’s Chinese ancestry.
He also urged members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to remain committed to defending the country rather than being drawn into what he described as conflicts driven by the personal egos of government officials.
Teodoro said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday that government officials, particularly elected ones, who side with China on the West Philippine Sea should consider resigning because public officials are sworn to uphold the Constitution and Philippine laws.
On Saturday, Teodoro issued a two-page clarification, saying he did not call for the resignation of public officials simply because of their beliefs but because of their duty to uphold the law.
The defense chief cited Administrative Order No. 29, issued in 2012, which designated the waters on the western side of the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea. He said the order forms part of the country’s legal framework and must be observed by public officials.
Teodoro added that officials who disagree with the policy have the option of challenging the measure before the courts, but until it is declared unconstitutional, they are obligated to uphold it.
He also said the issue has become more significant after the Philippines filed its extended continental shelf claim before the United Nations covering waters surrounding Bajo de Masinloc, arguing that public officials should clearly state whether they support or oppose the government’s position.
