Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. declined to make further comments on the government's policies concerning the West Philippine Sea following the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) reminder for officials to ensure their public statements align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s foreign policy direction.
Teodoro's remarks came amid the DFA's warning that government officials should exercise caution in making statements on foreign policy matters.
"With due respect to the President, there is a coming ASEAN Plus and APEC [summits]," Teodoro said.
The Defense chief added that he would avoid making statements that could be taken out of context and used to create an impression of division within the government.
"I will not allow any remarks to be made the subject of disinformation in order to portray a semblance of disunity in the government," he stressed.
The Philippines continues to assert its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea while pursuing its foreign policy objectives under the Marcos administration.
