MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense (DND) reported on Tuesday, September 29, that it requested assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the discovery of a forged document falsely attributed to Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr.
Speaking on behalf of the agency, Defense Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong labeled the document acquired by news outlets as “obviously and absolutely false and fake,” confirming that the agency formally handed the issue over to the NBI for inquiry.
”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,” Andolong stated.
Sent to an individual identified as Peter Enzminger, the fraudulent document claimed that a July 20 mission at Ayungin Shoal—where Philippine Navy officers sustained injuries—succeeded in “exposing China’s violent law enforcement and bullying tactics.”
The forged message also alleged that Teodoro considers the alliance with the United States to be the Philippines’ top strategic national security focus.
”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,” the forged document stated.