Palace hits Pulong Duterte’s pro-China stance, defends AFP modernization
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Malacañang slammed Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte for criticizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its modernization efforts, accusing him of parroting pro-China rhetoric that weakens the country’s defense and sovereignty.
At a press briefing in Kuala Lumpur, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro dramatically held up a printed newspaper clipping titled “Duterte says he’s inutile,” referring to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s past admission of helplessness in confronting Beijing’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
“Ang mga anak ni dating Pangulong Duterte ay lilihis pa ba sa sinabi ng dating pangulo?” Castro asked reporters.
“Matatandaan ninyo, sinabi niya noon - ‘inutile,’ hindi raw kayang gawin ng gobyerno ang dapat laban sa China sea aggression.”
[Translation: Will the children of former President Duterte now stray from what their father himself said? We remember he once called himself ‘inutile,’ saying the government could do nothing about China’s aggression.]
“So sila ba, mga anak, ay kokontra sa kanilang ama?” she continued. “Huwag niya pong i-undermine ang pagpapalakas ng Armed Forces at ang pagpapatuloy ng AFP modernization.”
[Translation: So will his children now contradict him? He should not undermine efforts to strengthen the Armed Forces and continue the AFP modernization program.]
Castro said the Marcos administration’s push to modernize the military is not about provocation but protection.
“Lahat ng ito ay hindi pansarili. Kailangan ito. Kailangan nating lumakas—hindi para makipag-giyera, gaya ng pinapanakot nila sa ating kababayan, kundi para hindi na tayo maging gaya ng nakaraang administrasyon na inutil pagdating sa China aggression,” she said.
[Translation: All of this is not for personal gain. It’s necessary. We need to be strong—not to start a war, as they claim, but so we don’t again become inutile in the face of China’s aggression.]
The Palace official said Duterte’s remarks “undermine the integrity and professionalism” of the AFP, which continues to defend Philippine sovereignty.
“Sana marinig din natin sa kanila kapag may nadidisgrasya o nasasaktan sa water cannon ng bansang China,” Castro added.
[Translation: We hope to hear from them too when Filipinos are harmed or attacked by China’s water cannons.]
Her comments came after the AFP on Sunday rejected what it called a “misleading interpretation” of remarks made by AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. regarding the temporary deployment of the US Typhon missile system in the Philippines.
The AFP dismissed Duterte’s claim that the military was “gambling” with Filipino lives or serving foreign interests.
“Any insinuation that the AFP or its leadership serves foreign interests is false and undermines the integrity, professionalism, and patriotism of the institution,” the AFP said in a statement.
Castro echoed that defense, saying, “Hindi tayo magpapatakot sa mga nagsasabing huwag palakasin ang sandatahang lakas. Ang tunay na takot ay ‘yung walang kakayahang ipagtanggol ang sarili.”
[Translation: We will not be cowed by those who say we shouldn’t strengthen our military. The real danger lies in being unable to defend ourselves.]
