Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. clarified that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not instructed government officials to halt their pushback against false narratives and territorial claims from China and its embassy.
The statement comes in response to an appeal from over 20 business leaders asking officials to soften their rhetoric and reduce tensions with Beijing.
Teodoro emphasized that the government must continue addressing misleading statements with facts, arguing that safeguarding national territory and resources is vital for a resilient economy. He added that protecting the West Philippine Sea ultimately serves the interests of the business sector.
“Walang kautusan ang ating Pangulo na huwag natin salungatin ang hindi makatotohanan na mga inihahayag ng Chinese Embassy o kung sino man,” Teodoro said.
“Kailangan salungatin natin ang kasinungalingan, sagutin natin ang katotohanan. At the end of the day, hindi ka matatalo pagkasama mo yung katotohanan,” he added.