By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday strongly denied reports that a majority of its generals were preparing to file complaints against Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., dismissing the allegation as baseless and describing it as a “good joke.”
During a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Roy Vincent Trinidad, rejected claims that senior military officers were planning to follow a complaint recently lodged against Teodoro.
“On the claim that the majority of generals of the AFP would be filing a similar case, that is a joke that should be laughed at and not replied to,” Trinidad said.
He also brushed aside suggestions of friction between Teodoro and the military leadership.
“No such tension exists. Laugh at it. It’s a good joke,” he added.
The controversy stemmed from complaints filed by a lawyer accusing Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of perjury and falsification related to his alleged possession of a Maltese passport. The lawyer later claimed that many AFP generals were considering filing similar complaints and alleged growing discontent within the military establishment.
AFP spokesperson Francel Margareth Padilla likewise rejected the allegations, saying the military would not allow itself to be dragged into what she described as politically motivated accusations.
“We will not dignify baseless and unverified allegations that seek to drag our institution into matters that are driven by personal motives,” Padilla said.
She echoed the earlier position of the Department of National Defense, which described the complaint against Teodoro as a “fishing expedition” and questioned both the motive and timing behind the accusations.
“The intent is malicious and also the timing is very dubious,” Padilla said.
Padilla emphasized that the AFP remains a professional, disciplined, and non-partisan institution focused solely on carrying out its constitutional mandate to protect the nation and ensure national security.
“We stand by Secretary Teodoro as our Defense Secretary, and we will not dignify these claims,” she said.
She also denied reports that military leaders were being asked to reaffirm their loyalty to Teodoro, stressing that no “loyalty check” was being conducted within the armed forces.
“There is no loyalty check. It is not necessary,” Padilla said, adding that AFP commanders have assured headquarters that troops remain professional and under control while performing their duties.
The DND has maintained that the accusations against Teodoro are unsupported by competent evidence and are based largely on speculation and unverified claims. Officials reiterated that legal allegations must be backed by credible proof rather than conjecture.
The AFP’s public defense of Teodoro comes amid efforts to dispel rumors of divisions within the country’s defense and military establishment. Military officials maintained that relations between the AFP leadership and the defense chief remain stable and professional, dismissing reports of internal unrest as unfounded.
ia/xf
