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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Teodoro confirms 'elaborate plan' to destabilize government

Teodoro confirms 'elaborate plan' to destabilize government

Published Jul 22, 2024 08:34 am
Gilberto Teodoro Jr.jpg
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Courtesy of DND)

Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Monday, July 22, that there is an “elaborate plan” by detractors of President Marcos Jr. to destabilize the government. 

This, after Teodoro denounced the release of a video by supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte during a “Maisug Rally” in Los Angeles, California showing Marcos supposedly using illegal drugs.

Teodoro said the video was fake, and its release showed a pattern by which Marcos’ critics want to weaken the government. The video was released hours before Marcos delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“[K]itang kita po dito sa video na hindi po iyan ang ating Pangulo. Peke po ang ginawa nila na video at obvious po na ito ay gawa-gawaan lamang (The video clearly shows that that is not our President. The video they made is obviously fake),” the defense chief said.

“Ngayon maliwanag na po sa akin, mga kababayan, na mayroon po talagang matinding plano na i-destabilize ang ating gobyerno (Now, it is clear to me, my fellowmen, that there is an elaborate plan to destabilize the government),” he added.

However, the defense chief did not namedrop anyone behind the supposed destabilization try.

According to Teodoro, the plan started with the spread of fake news about the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the DND. The AFP earlier warned that there is an alarming surge in the number of fake news targeting the government.

Read: AFP notices 'alarming surge' in disinformation efforts vs gov't

Then, Teodoro said it “progressed” to the spread of rumors about a supposed walkout by military generals during a command conference earlier this month led by Marcos. The AFP earlier denied the occurrence of walkout by generals.

Read: Another fake news! No walkout of AFP generals during command conference – official

“Pagkatapos naman ngayon na curiously po araw ng SONA, naglabas po sila ng pekeng video at sa Amerika pa (Now we have this and curiously on the day of SONA, they released a fake video in America),” Teodoro said.

He believes that the release of the video was held in the United States so the personalities behind it “will not be subjected to jurisdiction by Philippine authorities.”

In a statement earlier in the day, the DND urged the US government to investigate the personalities behind the rally.

Read: DND asks US to probe persons behind release of ‘pulvoronic video’ in LA rally

Meanwhile, Teodoro said that he will see to it that individuals and groups spreading fake news targeting Marcos will be suppressed.

He also reiterated that the DND, along with all its attached bureaus including the AFP, remains “solid behind the leadership” of Marcos, and follows the constitutional chain of command and the Philippine Constitution.

“Itong mga isip-batang mga attempt na mapahina ang ating Saligang Batas at ating mga institusyon ay mariin po naming tututulan at lalabanan (We condemn these childish attempts to weaken our Constitution and institutions, and we will fight them),” Teodoro said. 

He then appealed to the public to stand behind the government and unite against “forces who want to divide” the Filipinos.

Related Tags

Fake News Gilberto Teodoro Jr. DND
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