DND: Teodoro letter fake

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday dismissed as fake a letter supposedly signed by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro regarding an operation at Ayungin Shoal and the Philippines’ security cooperation with the United States.

DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the letter circulating online was fabricated and the department has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate.

“The Department of National Defense warns the public about a spurious and fabricated letter supposedly signed by Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. addressed to a Mr. Peter Enzminger which is currently circulating,” the DND said in a statement to DAILY TRIBUNE.

“The department unequivocally states that the document and its contents are obviously and absolutely false and fake,” it added.

The letter claimed that an Ayungin Shoal operation on 20 July, which resulted in injuries to Philippine Navy personnel, “achieved expected outcomes” by exposing what it described as China’s “violent law enforcement and bullying tactics.”

It also quoted Teodoro as supposedly saying the United States remained the Philippines’ “top priority in national security strategy as the highest guiding principles” in the discharge of his official duties.

“The effective safeguarding of the Philippines maritime interests cannot be achieved without US military, intelligence, logistical, and strategic support. I commit that, regardless of any changes in the domestic political climate within the Philippines, my support for the PH-US Alliance will remain steadfast,” Teodoro was quoted as purportedly saying.

Andolong said, “This is yet another episode of foreign interference and malign influence that is intended to discredit the legitimate and lawful efforts of the Philippine government to assert its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”