MALACANANG on Monday took a swipe at the Duterte family’s “pro-China” stance even as it defends Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who was criticized by Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte relative to the country’s acquisition of Typhoon Missile System.
Meanwhile, the AFP dismissed the Davao City lawmaker’s remarks about the presence of the US’ Typhon mid-range missile system in the country.
“The President already said it before. What can we expect from the Dutertes? They are pro-China,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said, recalling former President Rodrigo Duterte’s admission that he was “inutile” in confronting Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Castro’s remarks came after Duterte branded Brawner “trigger-happy” and questioned his loyalty for discussing the missile system’s capability, suggesting the AFP chief was “for the CIA” because the system is sourced from the United States.
The AFP later clarified that Brawner’s statement was a technical explanation and not a political declaration.
The Palace official said such criticism undermines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s efforts to modernize the military and build a credible defense posture.
“Let’s not undermine the President’s plan to strengthen our Armed Forces,” Castro said.
“All these efforts are not for any other country but for our own. We need to be strong, not to wage war, but to ensure that we can defend ourselves,” she added.
She also questioned whether the younger Dutertes now disagree with their father’s long-standing China policy.
“Are they opposing their father now? Or do they still agree with him?” Castro inquired.
“They should be as vocal when our fishermen are harassed or when China uses water cannons against our Coast Guard,” she added.
Castro reaffirmed that the Marcos administration’s defense strategy is focused on national sovereignty and self-reliance.
“We cannot go back to being inutile in the face of aggression,” she said.
“The President’s goal is simple; a stronger, self-reliant, and respected Philippines,” Castro added.
In a statement, the AFP clarified that Brawner merely stated a “technical fact” pertaining to the missile’s range and that he only explained that the missile was deployed for training and capability purposes as part of AFP’s modernization efforts.
“Any insinuation that the AFP or its leadership serves foreign interests is false and undermines the integrity, professionalism, and patriotism of the institution and its members who continue to defend our sovereignty,” the AFP said.
“The AFP emphasizes that all defense initiatives and partnerships are conducted in line with the Philippines’ independent foreign policy and sovereign prerogative,” it added.
The AFP issued the statement after Paolo Duterte took to social media to criticize Brawner, claiming that Brawner boasted about the capability of the Typhon missile to reach China.
A US defense official noted that the deployment of their missile systems in the Philippines was calculated to increase the perceived lethal risk for China and deter it from launching an attack on Taiwan or the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, the AFP also advised public officials to be prudent and responsible in their statements and refrain from engaging in misinformation that may sow distrust in the military.
“The AFP remains steadfast in its duty to protect the Filipino people and defend the nation’s sovereignty—serving no one but the Filipino, and protecting nothing but the Philippines,” the military added.
