Commodore Jay Tarriela urged Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga to retract his public call for the abolition of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), saying he cannot help but address the lawmaker’s “misleading and inflammatory remarks.”
“As a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, to call for the abolition of the PCG and dismiss our existence as a ‘waste of government funds’ is both reckless and deeply insulting to the 36,000-strong PCG who serve this nation with honor and courage,” Tarriela, the PCG’s spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), said in a statement.
“Many have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty,” he continued.
“To trivialize their service as wasteful betrays not only a lack of understanding but also a lack of empathy,” the PCG officer added.
Tarriela also called the lawmaker’s World War III remark “alarmist, inaccurate, and deeply irresponsible.”
He was reacting to Barzaga’s remark that the PCG can potentially cause World War III by continuing to resist China’s aggression in the WPS.
“I respectfully urge Congressman Barzaga to retract his statements and recommend that he consult with a doctor or a lawyer for a clearer understanding of the Philippine Coast Guard,” Tarriela said.
Meanwhile, he emphasized the shared responsibility of every Filipino in combating misinformation and disinformation regarding national issues surrounding the WPS.
