MALACANANG on Tuesday dismissed Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of the Marcos administration’s foreign policy, particularly its decision to allow foreign missile systems in the country.
In a briefing at the Palace, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro retorted to the Vice President’s recent remarks, questioning the rationally of permitting a foreign power, believed to be the United States, to deploy missile systems in the Philippines.
“The President said we expect that from the Dutertes because they are pro-China. The President is pro-Philippines,” Castro said.
Duterte had warned against antagonizing rival powers. “You allow missiles from a foreign power into your country, knowing they are hated by that country’s enemies.”
The repartee highlighted growing tensions within the country’s political leadership over Manila’s increasingly assertive stance in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and its strengthening of defense ties with the United States and other allies.
While Duterte’s remarks echoed sentiments voiced by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who pivoted to Beijing during his term, the Marcos administration has taken a different stance, boosting security agreements with Washington, participating in joint military drills, and approving the expansion of U.S. access to key Philippine military bases under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
President Marcos has repeatedly stated that these moves are meant to bolster national defense capabilities amid China’s growing aggressiveness in the WPS.