Tarriela on Marcoleta's remarks: 'It's very disappointing'

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela on Monday expressed disappointment over remarks made by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, saying it was troubling for an elected official to appear to downplay the Philippines’ position in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In an interview on Balitanghali, Tarriela stressed that he was speaking not as a Coast Guard official or member of the uniformed service, but as a Filipino citizen.

“Bilang Pilipino, nakaka-dismaya, nakaka-galit, nakaka-disappoint bakit tayo may isang elected member of the Senate and Congress na ganito magsalita, na tila wina-walang bahala ang ating posisyon pagdating sa WPS,” he said.

(As Filipinos, it is disheartening, infuriating, and disappointing that we have an elected member of the Senate and Congress who speaks this way, seemingly disregarding our position on the WPS.)

“It’s very disappointing,” Tarriela added.

His remarks came after Marcoleta’s statements suggesting that the Philippines could “give up” the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) because some of its features lie beyond the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Marcoleta later said his critics were “deliberately abbreviating the context” of his statements made during his interpellation at the Commission on Appointments hearing on the confirmation of generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

For Tarriela, however, the senator’s remarks were “very clear.”

“Bakit tila baga ang pagsasalita niya ay imbis na kundenahin ang ilegal at agresibong paggalaw ng China ay tila umaayon sa interes ng People’s Republic of China at ina-undermine ang aming posisyon,” he said.

(Why does it seem that instead of condemning China’s illegal and aggressive actions, he appears to align with the interests of the People’s Republic of China and undermine our position?)

Tarriela also reiterated his invitation for Marcoleta and his son to join a future maritime domain awareness (MDA) flight to the KIG.

“Para malaman nila na sa Pag-Asa may mga kabataang Pilipino, may komunidad ng mga Pilipino, at ito ang pinakamahalagang dahilan kung bakit ito ipinagtatanggol ng Armed Forces of the Philippines at ng PCG. Hindi ito dapat ipamigay,” he said.

(So they can see that in Pag-Asa there are young Filipinos and a Filipino community. This is the most important reason why the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the PCG are standing their ground, and why this should not be given away.)

Tarriela said the senator’s camp has yet to coordinate with the PCG regarding the invitation.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Marcoleta’s camp and will publish his response once available.—MCG, GMA Integrated News