Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178582727575720260804-senate-impeachment-day12-roderick-wamil-MT14 (9).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Volunteer Filipino artists work on their respective murals along the Camp Aguinaldo High School perimeter wall on Boni Serrano Avenue, Quezon City, as part of the WPS Mural Festival on April 9, 2026. The project aims to highlight the beauty of the Philippines and the importance of protecting the West Philippine Sea.<em> Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em><br/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said issues concerning the West Philippine Sea (WPS) should unite Filipinos, following Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte’s remarks accusing Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of “demonizing China.”</p><p>AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, while clarifying that her remarks were not directed at any individual, said the West Philippine Sea concerns all Filipinos and should transcend politics.</p><p>“Lahat tayo bilang mamamayang Pilipino, iisa dapat ang puso natin &#x27;pag usapin ng West Philippine Sea. The West Philippine Sea issue is actually a unifying factor—it should be a unifying factor for all Filipinos,” Padilla told reporters in a chance interview.</p><p>“&#x27;Pag usapin ng West Philippine Sea, wala itong kulay, wala itong politika, wala itong relihiyon, wala itong rehiyon, wala itong kung ano ang lenggwahe mo o dialect mo,” she added.</p><p>In a recent Facebook post, Duterte accused Teodoro of “demonizing China” and “acting as if he were imposing a loyalty test” after the defense chief said public officials who support Beijing’s position on the West Philippine Sea should consider stepping down.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/3/palace-backs-gibo-pro-china-ph-officials-must-reveal-themselves-1429">Palace backs Gibo: &#x27;Pro-China&#x27; PH officials must reveal themselves</a></div><p>Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad also expressed support for Teodoro, emphasizing that upholding the country&#x27;s position in the West Philippine Sea is a constitutional duty and an obligation to the Republic.</p><p>Trinidad said all public officials, whether elected or appointed, take an oath to uphold the Constitution, defend national sovereignty, and protect the country&#x27;s sovereign rights.</p><p>“The AFP stands solidly behind and aligns with the statement of our SND that all Filipinos, all government officials, elected or appointed, should fight for the interest of the country. Not only domestically, but even in the maritime domain covering the West Philippine Sea,” he said.</p><p>“We expect every Filipino, every elected official, every appointed official to support our national interest, especially in the West Philippine Sea.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/30/ph-seeks-extended-continental-shelf-in-west-philippine-sea-1730">PH seeks extended continental shelf in West Philippine Sea</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wOJfqGm4pwQ?si=qdy_3A4hd-qRuZVo" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said issues concerning the West Philippine Sea (WPS) should unite Filipinos, following Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte’s remarks accusing Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of “demonizing China.”</p>

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said issues concerning the West Philippine Sea (WPS) should unite Filipinos, following Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte’s remarks accusing Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. of “demonizing China.”

AFP says West PH Sea issue must 'unify' Filipinos: 'Wala itong kulay, politika'

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AFP says West PH Sea issue must 'unify' Filipinos: 'Wala itong kulay, politika'

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 04, 2026 03:17 PM PHT

Read More:

AFP

Pulong Duterte

Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

China

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