Malacañang has fired back at Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte following his recent criticism of the Marcos administration’s military modernization programs, calling Dutertes "pro-China."
During the press briefing in Malaysia, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that former President Rodrigo Duterte once described himself as “inutile” in the face of Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.
“Unang-una noon pa sinabi ng pangulo: what can we expect from the Dutertes? They are pro-China,” Castro said.
She further noted the remarks of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela, emphasizing that narratives like those expressed by the younger Duterte are “pro-China.”
Castro questioned whether the former president’s children would diverge from their father’s stance.
“Kung matatandaan nyo po, sinabi nya, ‘Duterte says he is inutil, cannot do anything against China Sea aggression,” she asked.
"Siguro natatandaan nyo po ito. So sila ba mga anak? Sila po ba ang kokontra sa kanilang ama?" Castro added.
Castro also urged the public not to undermine Marcos’ plans to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and continue the modernization program.
“Lahat ng ito ay hindi pang sarili, hindi para sa anumang bansa, kundi para sa sarili nating bansa,” she said.
“Kailangan nating lumakas, ang puwersa natin hindi para makapaggera, katulad ng sinasabi nila, na pinapanakot nila sa ating mga kababayan na itong ginagawa ay parang naghihikayat ng gera. Hindi po yun ang nais ng Pangulo. Kailangan lang pong lumakas din ang ating puwersa at hindi tayo magaya sa nakarang administrasyon na inutil na ituturing pagdating sa China aggression.”
Castro also called on critics, especially the Dutertes, to speak up when Filipinos are endangered, particularly citing incidents involving Chinese authorities and Filipino fishermen.
“Sana madinig din natin sa kanila pagka-mayroong nadidisgrasya o nasasangkot sa pagwo-water cannon ng bansang China, sana ay maingay din sila. Madinig din natin kung ano ang kanilang mga saloobin sa mga nangyayari sa ating mga mangingisda at sa mga nararamdaman at kasinasapit ng ating mga miyembro sa Philippine Coast Guard,” she said.
The Palace statement comes after the AFP said that Brawner was merely stating a “technical fact” following Rep. Duterte questioning the AFP Chief's recent remarks that U.S. missiles stationed in the Philippines are capable of reaching China.
In a social media post, the younger Duterte questioned whether such pronouncements serve the country’s national defense or merely reflect loyalty to the United States.
