AFP debunks tension rumors, says case vs. Teodoro a 'joke'

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) refuted rumors that it will be filing a perjury and falsification of public documents complaint against Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., similar to what was filed last week.

“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,” AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said Tuesday.

Trinidad also denied claims that there are brewing tensions between the military and Teodoro.

“Totoong joke ‘yun (It’s a joke). No such [tension] exists. Laugh at it. It's a good joke,” Trinidad added.

The rumors of a rift and a case against Teodoro follow the filing of perjury and falsification complaints against Teodoro over his alleged possession of a Maltese passport.

The complainants subsequently claimed that most AFP generals were weighing similar legal action due to mounting friction between the military and the defense chief.

Last year, Teodoro announced that he had already renounced his Maltese citizenship in 2021.

In an earlier statement, the Department of National Defense slammed the complaints against Teodoro.

“The complaint filed against the Secretary of National Defense appears to be built on unverified allegations, and attempts to shift the burden of proof to the State by requesting the Office of the Pasay City Prosecutor and other government agencies to establish the very facts the complainants themselves failed to prove. That is not how the justice system works,” said DND Assistant Secretary Erik Dy.

“The burden of proof rests on those who make the accusation. A complaint for perjury requires competent evidence, not speculation, assumptions, or a fishing expedition in search of proof. Until credible and verified evidence is presented, these claims remain nothing but unproven accusations,” he added. —LDF, GMA News