Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) — Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod, the left-leaning official fired by President Rodrigo Duterte, was doing a good job.

This was according to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello. He told reporters on Friday that he was "not officially informed of the action against" Maglunsod. He said all he knows was his undersecretary was put on "floating status."

When asked if he thinks Maglunsod did his job well, Bello said yes.

Labor groups criticized Duterte's move to sack Maglunsod. The President announced it last Tuesday as he again lashed out at workers holding labor strikes. Maglunsod was a former Anakpawis representative and leader of militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

READ: Duterte fires left-leaning Labor official

The KMU said Maglunsod's dismissal was part of Duterte's crackdown against labor groups.

"We strongly condemn Duterte for firing Maglunsod. This is part of his crackdown against the labor movement that leads the growing strikes and protests against Duterte's failed promise to end contractualization and to implement a significant wage hike amidst the record high inflation," KMU chairperson Elmer Labog said in a statement.

The group said Maglunsod has been the workers' voice in the agency.

The National Anti-Poverty Commission's Labor Sector called on the government to reconsider Maglunsod's reinstatement, saying he has been an "asset to the DOLE for his role in the campaign against contractualization and bridging the gap between DOLE and the workers of trade unions."

Duterte, a self-described left-leaning leader, appointed Maglunsod and other leftist individuals to the Cabinet as he reached out to communist rebels to talk peace. But peace negotiations have been called off and officials identified with the Left have either been fired, rejected by the Commission on Appointments, or have resigned.

CNN Philippines' Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.