A MANIFESTO circulating among active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) seeks the ouster of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., saying he lacks the competence to lead the Department of National Defense (DND) and the professionalism to take full responsibility for his actions.

The AFP did not issue a statement when asked about the manifesto but denied a related report posted by a retired general online about an alleged walkout by ranking military officials during a July 4 command conference to protest Teodoro's handling of the West Philippine Sea situation.

"It is not only based on unfounded information, his comments were also misleading and uncharacteristic of any military officer, active or retired," the AFP said in a statement.

"Our soldiers are professional and loyal to the chain of command. We will not allow any effort to malign our ranks and discredit our commitment to our mandate by clout-chasers and their personal political agenda," it added.

At a press briefing in Villamor Air Base, Philippine Air Force Public Affairs Office chief Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo said reports of the walkout were "fake news."

"Nothing of that sort happened; it was a very professional exchange of ideas and discussions and there were also a lot of updates that were given. It all ended on a positive note," Castillo said.

Efforts to reach Teodoro were unsuccessful.

In the manifesto addressed to the President, a copy of which The Manila Times obtained, the signatories pointed to the routine rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal that was conducted by the AFP on June 17, during which vessels of the Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N), China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) engaged in dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel.

The incident "humiliated the ranks of the entire military service" and is a direct result of Teodoro's supposed "narcissistic attitude and ambitious pursuit of getting elected to a national post," the manifesto said.

"Secretary Teodoro unilaterally decided to carry out this operation, disregarding the opposing comments from military planners and strategists at the AFP and DND," the manifesto alleged.

The RoRe operation was allegedly never approved or even discussed at the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea or the National Maritime Council, the manifesto added.

Furthermore, it claimed that the planning of the "abysmal military operation was never shared with any of the concerned government agencies that have a clear stake in the West Philippine Sea issue."

It said Teodoro's "hasty and unreasonable decision" to push for the military-led RoRe operation "indicates a lack of strategic thinking in managing the West Philippine Sea issue."

"It appears that his main concern is to maximize his own publicity, rather than considering the potential consequences and risks of such an operation," the manifesto said. "It is concerning that he failed to take into account the high possibility of miscalculation and the potential escalation to war."

In addition, it claimed that there is "frustration and anger" within the AFP regarding the unceremonious relief of Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos, who is currently in floating status.

"We recognize such unfairness, as Vice Admiral Carlos is a patriotic soldier with a lengthy military service to our country," they said.

The manifesto said the problem in the West Philippine Sea will only worsen if Teodoro continues to "prioritize his publicity stunts instead of de-escalating the tension that he has created."

Earlier, retired BGen. Johnny Macanas Jr. claimed in a video posted online that ranking AFP officials reportedly walked out during the command conference in Camp Aguinaldo last July 4 as a sign of disagreement and protest supposedly against Teodoro.

Macanas cited a "blind item" on a radio program that alleged a military general participating in the command conference suddenly stood up, saluted Teodoro, the top civilian government official presiding the meeting, and asked permission to leave.

As the general was leaving the room, several military generals also stood up and proceeded to walk out of the meeting.

The names and identities of the AFP officials who walked out were not revealed.

The AFP, however, said on Tuesday that there was no truth to the radio commentary.

It also called on the public to be critical of false narratives and report individuals and channels that propagate disinformation.