Palace denies Teodoro has quit DND post

The Presidential Communications Office on Thursday said reports circulating on social media that Department of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro has quit from his post are just rumors meant to sow disunity within the agency.

In a statement, PCO Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s full trust and  confidence on Teodoro has never wavered.  

Chavez said the misinformation only attempts to create “disunity” within the DND.

“Rumors to the contrary are pathetic attempts to sow disunity in an organization united in protecting our people and defending our territory,” Chavez said.

Chavez stressed that politicking within the DND should never have a place in the agency.

“Busy as they are with their mission, we should spare our fighting men of the corrosive politicking that has no place in their ranks,” he added.

In a separate statement, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong likewise denied the rumor on Teodoro’s alleged resignation.

“There is no truth to the rumor perpetrated by certain sectors online about the supposed resignation of Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.,” Andolong said.

“We call on those who purposely propagate unfounded lies to be circumspect and refrain from spreading misinformation and disinformation,” he added.

According to Andolong, Teodoro and the DND  are focused on enhancing the country’s capabilities to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“We urge the public to be vigilant against misleading claims that aim to sow discord among the Filipino people and divert our attention from the real challenges that beset our country,” he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News