DFA disputes report on letter calling for Cayetano's resignation

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs has disputed a report on The STAR that career officers of the DFA have written President Rodrigo Duterte to call for the resignation of Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and his appointees.

The report quotes the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, as saying "the diplomatic row between the Philippines and Kuwait has unmasked the gross incompetence of DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and his top aides who are now a liability to the Duterte administration."

"The Office of the President has not seen such letter," the DFA said, adding "the alleged clamor by career officials for the secretary to resign as contained in the supposed letter came from some who do not represent the views of the entire career Foreign Service Corps."

READ: Career diplomats want Cayetano, aides to resign

The DFA said that the Union of Foreign Service Officers (UNIFORS) "has been inactive and that any position, statement or letter from the group would have to be circulated to the membership and signed by its leadership."

The report said "the officers did not refer to the Union of Foreign Service Officers as the organization of career diplomats behind the letter."

The DFA also disputed another news article about an alleged shouting match between Cayetano and Labor Secretary Silvestro Bello III over the diplomatic row with Kuwait. "That shouting match never took place," the department said.

"It is unfortunate that the Star published unverified information from an anonymous source. It is lamentable that Ms. [Pia Lee-Brago] did not double-check the authenticity of the information that was provided to her nor even attempt to get the side of the department," the DFA also said.