Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela hit back at former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos after she told him to stop speaking publicly.
In a Facebook post, Tarriela responded to Carlos’ remarks, recalling that his parents taught him not to speak ill of older people, but said he would respond after the former official used profanities against him.
“Tinuruan ako ng aking mga magulang na huwag magsalita ng masama laban sa matatanda. Pero since nagmumura na si Lola, let me respond,” Tarriela said.
He then criticized Carlos, saying her statements showed why she was unable to serve as National Security Adviser for at least a year.
“Imagine mas galit pa kayo sa akin kaysa sa China,” he said.
Tarriela also recalled an incident during Carlos’ tenure as chairperson of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), claiming that she had questioned why he was asking her about the country’s deployments in the disputed waters in response to China’s presence.
“I can still remember why you asked me bakit kita tinatanong (‘Why me?’) about our deployment in the WPS to respond to China’s presence, that I have to remind you that you were the chairperson of NTF-WPS during that time,” he said.
The PCG spokesperson further questioned Carlos’ recent criticism of him and made a sarcastic remark about the possible reason behind her statements.
“Pero na-realize ko rin: siguro kailangan mo talaga ng support, ang mahal na kasi ng diesel. Pasensya na, ma’am, di ko na po kayo nabigyan ng gas slips,” Tarriela said.
He also claimed that people who worked with Carlos at the NTF-WPS during her time as national security adviser would attest that she did not take action to defend the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Tarriela added that the government’s transparency initiative in the disputed waters began only after Carlos was replaced and General Eduardo Año took over the position.
His remarks came after Carlos, in an interview, directly criticized Tarriela and urged him to stop speaking publicly.
“I wanna respond first to Tarriela. I want to tell him to shut the f*ck up,” Carlos said.
“Tarriela... get a duct tape and cover your mouth,” she added.
