PCG’s Tarriela slams 'Pinoy trolls' amid row with Chinese Embassy

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Commodore Jay Tarriela, on Sunday condemned ‘Filipino trolls’ who appeared to be echoing the Chinese narrative following his social media post on Chinese leaders.

“Ang ikinalulungkot ko, may mga troll na Pilipino. Some of them are social media influencers. Some of them are fanatics ng kilala naman nating pulitikong sinusuportahan nila. They are being used as puppets in amplifying the Chinese narrative,” Tarriela told Super Radyo dzBB.

(I’m saddened that there are Filipino trolls. Some are social media influencers, while some are fanatics of known politicians. They are being used as puppets in amplifying the Chinese narrative.)

“Pilipino ba kayo?. While the Chinese government is exerting all possibilities para mapigilan ang ating transparency efforts, mayroon pa ring mga Pilipino na sumasawsaw at nakikisali sa usaping ito at hindi pumapanig sa atin, sa Pilipinas,” he added.

(Are you Filipinos? While the Chinese government is exerting all possibilities to stop our transparency efforts, some Filipinos are still engaging in this issue without siding with us and the Philippines.)

Tarriela also said the troll accounts could either be foreigners or Filipinos being paid.

On Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila called out Tarriela for posting images on social media "attacking and smearing Chinese leaders."

The PCG official stood firm on his stance opposing China's aggression in the South China Sea, saying that there's no need for him to apologize to the Chinese Embassy.

“Para sa akin (In my opinion), they are just overreacting. Making use of the caricature that I posted as a basis for them to stop transparency for good,” Tarriela said in the dzBB interview.

In a separate statement on Sunday, Senator Erwin Tulfo denounced the Chinese Embassy's accusation against Tarriela, adding that they can leave the country if they "do not like how democracy works in the Philippines."

“You have no right to censure our officials for their statements about you taking away our territory—territory that has been proven to be ours,” Tulfo said.

“If you want respect from Filipinos, then respect our Constitution. Respect our officials. Respect our freedom of speech. And respect the simple truth that this is not your country," he added.

Chinese Embassy in Manila deputy spokesperson Guo Wei has accused Tarriela of making fallacious remarks on the South China Sea issue.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, but the latter refused to recognize the decision. —RF, GMA Integrated News