Camille Naredo

Philippines' Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr delivers a speech as he attends the sixth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2026. Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP/File

Philippines' Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr delivers a speech as he attends the sixth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2026. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP)

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23rd Shangri-La Dialogue

Allison Co

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785676342693AFP__20260531__B4J29KU__v1__MidRes__SingaporeDiplomacyDefenceShangriLa.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Philippines&#x27; Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr delivers a speech as he attends the sixth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2026. Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP/File"/>Philippines&#x27; Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr delivers a speech as he attends the sixth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2026. Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP/File</div>MANILA — Amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized that public officials are bound by their oath to uphold the country&#x27;s policy regarding its territorial waters.“If a public official cannot conform to these requisites then the only option is to resign,” Teodoro said in a statement on Sunday, August 2. Teodoro clarified that his call for public officials to resign is not based on their personal beliefs but on the responsibilities that come with public office.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/23/teodoro-china-has-no-right-to-interfere-in-our-territory-1500">Teodoro: China has no right to interfere in activities in our territory </a> </div>“One cannot ask a public official to resign just because of a belief. There must be a violation of a law or a regulation,” he added. The defense secretary specifically cited Administrative Order No. 29, which designates the West Philippine Sea, including the disputed Bajo de Masinloc (also known as Panatag Shoal), as part of the Philippines&#x27; official policy.“Are they opposing this move before the UN? If they do, they must state this clearly and by doing so they will have left a mark in our history and they will be remembered by future generations, our people, soldiers,” the secretary said.International relations expert Renato de Castro backed Teodoro’s position, saying that public officials who refuse to support the government&#x27;s policy on the West Philippine Sea have a legal obligation to step down from their posts. <div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/12/defense-chief-teodoro-says-to-keep-doing-my-duty-after-china-sanctions-0813">Defense chief Teodoro says to &#x27;keep doing my duty&#x27; after China sanctions</a></div>“If they have the sense of patriotism, they should (resign). If they have that sense of self-respect and of course dignity and patriotism, they should,” De Castro said.Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela likewise voiced his support for Teodoro’s position. “Our position on the West Philippine Sea is not a mere policy preference—it is law… Every public official swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and our laws,” Tarriela added.

Amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized that public officials are bound by their oath to uphold the country's policy regarding its territorial waters.

Amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized that public officials are bound by their oath to uphold the country's policy regarding its territorial waters.

Teodoro reminds public officials of duty to defend West Philippine Sea policy

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Teodoro reminds public officials of duty to defend West Philippine Sea policy

Allison Co,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 02, 2026 09:13 PM PHT

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