MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela accused former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos of failing to defend the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea during her tenure, claiming the government’s transparency initiative began only after she was replaced.
Tarriela questioned Carlos’ record as former chairperson of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), saying officials who served during her tenure could attest to her alleged failure to assert Philippine maritime rights against China.
READ: West PH Sea: Tarriela urges Filipinos to shed ‘defeatist mindset’
“Anyone who was part of the NTF-WPS during her time as NSA would definitely state that she never did anything to stand up for our rights in the WPS,” Tarriela said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
“We need to remember that the transparency initiative in the WPS only started when she was replaced and when Gen Eduardo Año took over,” he added.
The transparency initiative involves publicly documenting and exposing Chinese activities, including confrontations involving Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
Tarriela’s accusations came in response to Carlos’ remarks during an interview with One News’ Morning Matters on Wednesday, when she called him a “troublemaker” and told him to shut up.
Carlos had criticized Tarriela and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for publicly commenting on foreign policy, arguing that such matters should be left to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
Tarriela also recalled questioning Carlos about Philippine deployments in response to China’s presence in the West Philippine Sea during her tenure.
“Pangalawa, I can still remember why you asked me bakit kita tinatanong about our deployment in the WPS to respond to China’s presence that I have to remind you that you were the chairperson of NTF-WPS during that time,” he said.
(Second, I still remember when you asked why I was questioning you about our deployments in the West Philippine Sea in response to China’s presence. I had to remind you that you were chairperson of the NTF-WPS at the time.)
He suggested that Carlos had failed to recognize her responsibility as head of the task force, which coordinates the government’s efforts to protect Philippine interests in the disputed waters.
Tarriela also made a personal remark about Carlos, alluding to alleged requests for fuel assistance without providing supporting details.
“Pangatlo, I’m wondering bakit mo ako bina-badmouth ngayon. Pero na-realize ko rin: siguro kailangan mo talaga ng support, ang mahal na kasi ng diesel. Pasensya na, maam, di ko na po kayo nabigyan ng gas slips,” he said.
(Third, I’m wondering why you’re badmouthing me now. But then I realized: perhaps you really need support because diesel is expensive. I’m sorry, ma’am, I was no longer able to give you gas slips.)
Tarriela did not elaborate on the alleged gas slips or provide evidence to substantiate the insinuation.
READ: Marcos accepts Eduardo Año’s resignation as national security adviser
Carlos served as national security adviser from June 2022 until January 2023, when she was replaced by Año, a former Armed Forces chief of staff and interior secretary.
The PCG’s transparency initiative, pursued under Año’s leadership of the NTF-WPS, has involved the release of photographs, videos and official accounts of Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea.
The initiative has drawn international attention to incidents involving Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels, including water cannon attacks and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine ships.
Tarriela’s allegations against Carlos have not been independently substantiated. /jpv
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