PCG spokesperson for WPS Tarriela promoted to Rear Admiral

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea and two others have been promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral.

Based on the communication signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez was furnished a copy of the appointment letter signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The letter stated that Commodore Jay Tarriela together with Weniel Abarquez Azcuna and Oliver Sy Tanseco have been promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral.

Lopez was directed to furnish the three officials with copies of the appointment letter withint seven days upon receipt.

It can be recalled that Tarriela was recently involved in a word war with Chinese Embassy officials regarding the territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea.

In Janaury 2026, China lodged diplomatic protests against Tarriela over social media posts against its leaders but the Filipino official said his statements were based on “factual accounts.”

The Chinese Embassy then said China’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Philippine ambassador to Beijing amid accusation that Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela is conducting a “smear campaign” against Beijing.

Tarriela 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.)

Early this month, Tarriela said that the Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) operations of China sought “to exploit prevailing narratives, including those relating to the Philippines’ role as ASEAN host, in order to shape public discourse and sow confusion among the Filipino public.”

In the same statement, Tarriela denied suggesting that the Department of Foreign Affairs was becoming a “troll” or is acting in any improper manner amid discussions regarding China and the WPS.

“My remarks were directed at these external influence operations—not at the DFA or its officials. I fully recognize and respect the professionalism, competence, and institutional role of the Department of Foreign Affairs.” — BAP, GMA Integrated News