MANILA — Malacañang has slammed Davao City 1st District representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte for his criticism of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its cooperation with the United States, saying his remarks only undermine the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s defense posture amid rising regional tensions.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro underscored that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s military modernization program is meant to enhance the country’s defensive capabilitiesv — not to provoke war.
“Kailangan natin lumakas ang puwersa natin hindi para makapag-giyera katulad ng sinasabi nila na pinapanakot nila sa ating mga kababayan na itong ginagawa ay parang naghihikayat ng giyera, hindi po iyon ang nais ng Pangulo,” Castro said.
She further noted that President Marcos himself had earlier acknowledged that some members of the Duterte family appeared to espouse “pro-China” views, a sentiment echoed by Castro in response to the congressman’s latest tirade.
“Ano pa rin po ba ang masasabi natin sa mga statement ng congressman, lalung-lalo na’t sinabi rin ni Commodore Tarriela, na itong mga naratibong na ito ay pro-China,” she added.
Her remarks came after Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela accused Duterte of spreading “divisive noise” and “stoking unnecessary paranoia” over the temporary deployment of US missile systems in the Philippines.
Castro urged the younger Duterte to instead direct his outrage toward China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, including incidents of water cannon attacks against Filipino fishermen and PCG vessels.
“Sana madinig natin sa kanila, ‘pag mayroon nadidisgrasya o nasasangkot sa pagwa-water cannon ng bansang China, sana ay maingay din sila, madinig din natin kung ano ang kanilang saloobin sa mga nangyayari sa ating mga mangingisda at sa mga nararamdaman at sinasapit ng ating mga miyembro sa Philippine Coast Guard,” she said.
Reiterating the administration’s stance, Castro emphasized that the AFP modernization program is a long-term initiative vital to protecting national sovereignty and ensuring the safety of Filipino forces in disputed waters./PN
