MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday said the agency uses objective criteria in assessing individuals on their stance in the West Philippine Sea.
The defense chief issued the statement after some groups asked him to name individuals refusing to support the country's WPS policy.
He explained that “the DND works on objective criteria and no other standard in cases involving the reputation of our citizens.”
“In this situation, the standard is simple: who not only opposes AO (Administrative Order) 29, but also refuses to recognize it—both elements being necessary, especially in light of our recent filing of nautical charts for Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag,” he said.
“In the same way that red-tagging and other such ad hoc practices are not employed by this organization, tagging Filipinos on the basis of belief rather than covert or overt acts is not done by the Defense Department,” he added.
AO 29, signed by the late former President Benigno Aquino III in 2012, officially names maritime areas at the western side of the archipelago as the WPS.
Earlier, Teodoro said that “public officials are sworn to obey and uphold all laws, rules, and regulations issued in accordance with law.”
He said officials who disagree with the country's legal position have recourse through the courts, but cannot simply disregard existing laws while remaining in office.
“If a public official cannot uphold these, then the duty is clear – uphold or file an action to declare the rule or law unconstitutional. Until that time, there is no option but to uphold the law,” he added. (PNA)
