VP Duterte Challenges Defense Chief to Name 'Pro-China' Officials Amid WPS Row

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday challenged Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to identify the supposed "pro-China" government officials whom he urged to step down from office. "Siguro para klaro sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin, dapat pangalanan kung sino 'yung mga officials na tinutukoy niya na nagde-defend sa China over the West Philippine Sea issue," Duterte said in an interview in Davao City. (To make it clear to all our fellow citizens, the officials he is referring to—those defending China regarding the West Philippine Sea issue.) "Kasi hindi puwedeng magbitaw ka ng ganoon na salita, hindi mo naman pangalanan 'yung mga opisyal," she added. (You cannot make such a statement and then not name the officials.) Without naming names, the Vice President said that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. could also be a "suspect" in Teodoro's claim. "Siyempre suspect kahit ang Presidente natin, kasali sa suspect doon kasi walang pangalan, walang listahan ng pangalan eh," Duterte said. (Of course, even our President is a suspect. He is included among the suspects because no one was named, there is no list of names.) Teodoro said his remark asking public officials to consider stepping down if they refuse to uphold the country's policy on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is not based on belief, but rather on violations of law or established regulations. Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte—brother of the Vice President—however, criticized Teodoro, arguing that elected officials are chosen by the people, not the Defense secretary. The lawmaker told Teodoro to stop "demonizing China" and asked him to stop administering loyalty tests to elected officials. Malacañang, in return, questioned Paolo Duterte's remarks on loyalty to the Philippines, calling them "very alarming" as these supposedly suggested his allegiance to the country was not "solid."