MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has denied claims that military generals are preparing to file perjury and falsification of public documents complaints against Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

In a report, it said that AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad dismissed reports that a majority of AFP generals were considering legal action similar to the complaint filed against Teodoro last week.

“On the claim that the majority of generals of the AFP would be filing a similar case, that is a joke that should be laughed at and not replied to,” Trinidad said.

He also rejected allegations of growing tension between the military and the defense chief.

“Totoong joke ‘yun (It’s a joke). No such [tension] exists. Laugh at it. It’s a good joke,” Trinidad added.

The reports emerged after perjury and falsification complaints were filed against Teodoro over allegations concerning his supposed possession of a Maltese passport.

The complainants later claimed that many AFP generals were considering filing similar cases due to alleged friction between the military and the Department of National Defense chief.

Teodoro had previously announced that he renounced his Maltese citizenship in 2021.

Earlier, the Department of National Defense criticized the complaints filed against the defense secretary.

“The complaint filed against the Secretary of National Defense appears to be built on unverified allegations, and attempts to shift the burden of proof to the State by requesting the Office of the Pasay City Prosecutor and other government agencies to establish the very facts the complainants themselves failed to prove. That is not how the justice system works,” DND Assistant Secretary Erik Dy said.

“The burden of proof rests on those who make the accusation. A complaint for perjury requires competent evidence, not speculation, assumptions, or a fishing expedition in search of proof. Until credible and verified evidence is presented, these claims remain nothing but unproven accusations,” he added.