Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday, Aug. 7, said the government should not label Filipinos as pro-China based only on their beliefs as debate intensified over officials accused of siding with Beijing in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Teodoro said the DND uses “objective criteria” when dealing with matters that could affect the reputation of citizens.

“The DND works on objective criteria and no other standard in cases involving the reputation of our citizens,” Teodoro said in a statement.

Earlier, Vice President Sara Duterte challenged him to identify the government officials he was referring to when he called on those siding with China on the WPS issue to consider resigning.

Duterte said officials should be named so Filipinos would know who Teodoro was referring to, adding that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could be among those being suspected if no names were released.

Teodoro previously stated that elected officials who could not stand by the country's position on the WPS should either resign or bring the matter before the Supreme Court, a position backed by Malacañang.

The defense chief said the standard for determining whether an official should be considered opposed to the government's position involves both opposition to Administrative Order (AO) No. 29, issued in 2012 to formally define the WPS, and refusal to recognize it.

“In this situation, the standard is simple: who not only opposes AO29, but also refuses to recognize it, both elements being necessary, especially in light of our recent filing of nautical charts for Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag,” he said.

Teodoro also rejected the use of unverified labels against Filipinos based solely on their political beliefs.

“In the same way that red-tagging and other such ad hoc practices are not employed by this organization, tagging Filipinos on the basis of belief rather than covert or overt acts is not done by the Defense Department,” he said.

While the DND did not provide a list of alleged pro-China officials, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for WPS Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela outlined actions that could supposedly amount to betrayal of the country.

“I do not have a list of the names of government officials who are pro-China or siding with China, but these are my guidelines for saying that a person is a traitor to our country, the Philippines,” Tarriela said.

Among the acts he cited were refusing to stand up for WPS while frightening Filipinos by saying the country could be dragged into war, saying the Philippines would be better off as a province of China and openly expressing love for Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He also cited remaining silent when China pressures PCG, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Filipino fishermen, including the absence of condemnation or support.

Tarriela also listed opposition to the government's transparency initiative and the public release of incidents in WPS, saying he would also consider it a concern when a person is close to the Chinese government while moving away from countries that support international law.

He further cited questioning the Philippines’ position on the WPS, calling for the Kalayaan Island Group to be given up and dismissing the 2016 arbitral ruling as “just a piece of paper.”

Tarriela also pointed to spreading false information about the WPS and using the issue during political campaigns without fulfilling promises made to defend the country's maritime rights.

The controversy has also drawn support from retired military and police officials as the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) backed the DND's position and reminded public officials of their constitutional duties.

“Public office is a sacred public trust. Every public official is bound by a solemn oath to bear true faith and allegiance to the flag and the Republic, and to strictly obey and execute the laws of the land, including Administrative Order No. 29, series of 2012, which formally defines the WPS,” the group said.

AGFO said its position is based on three core imperatives: adherence to legal obligations, solidarity with troops and maritime communities, and responsible and contextual reporting.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful, secure and sovereign Philippines and called on public servants to remain united in upholding the rule of law.