MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Friday hit back at former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos over her criticism of him, saying there was no room for such remarks when the country’s sovereignty and territory were at stake.
Teodoro also backed Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, who had questioned Carlos’ response to China’s actions in the disputed waters.
“There’s no room for those kinds of statements now na ‘yung national interest ang pinag-uusapan dito,” Teodoro said in a virtual interview with reporters.
(There’s no room for those kinds of statements when the national interest is at stake.)
“There’s no ifs nor buts anymore when it is Philippines sovereignty and territory that we’re talking about,” he added.
Teodoro was responding to Carlos’ remarks during an interview with One News’ Morning Matters on Wednesday, when she criticized him and Tarriela 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.
During the same interview, Carlos also called Tarriela a “troublemaker” and told him to shut up.
READ: Tarriela to Carlos: You failed to defend WPS rights as security adviser
Tarriela earlier hit back at Carlos, accusing the former national security adviser of failing to defend the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea during her tenure.
The Coast Guard spokesperson also questioned why Carlos appeared more angered by his statements than by China’s actions in Philippine waters.
Asked about the exchange, Teodoro questioned Carlos’ response to China’s conduct in the West Philippine Sea.
“What can she say about misbehavior of China?” he asked.
READ: Tarriela hits back at Carlos: You’re angrier at me than at China
“Tama ‘yung point ni Admiral Tarriela na ‘yun. Undeniable ‘yun point,” Teodoro said.
(Admiral Tarriela’s point is correct. That point is undeniable.)
The defense chief also took issue with Carlos’ remark telling Tarriela to shut up, saying the same could be said of those expressing opposing views.
“And to tell anybody to shut his mouth, regardless, I think we can say the same for the people who have a different narrative,” he said.
“So, when you point a finger, four fingers are pointing back at you.”
Teodoro, however, said he had no intention of engaging in a prolonged public argument with Carlos.
“But I do not intend to enter into a polemic with somebody who is not in the actual loop dito sa issue na ito (in this issue),” he said.
Carlos served as national security adviser from June 2022 until January 2023, when she was replaced by Eduardo Año, a former Armed Forces chief of staff and interior secretary.
The exchange comes amid heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing following remarks by Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan that China could easily win if it used force against the Philippines, but had no intention of doing so.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) described Jing’s remarks as a thinly veiled threat of the use of force, while Teodoro and Tarriela also criticized the ambassador’s statements.On Monday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro summoned Jing to convey Manila’s strong objection to his remarks, which she described as provocative and unacceptable. The DFA also warned that the Philippines reserved the right to take further diplomatic action if necessary. /apl
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