AFP, Tarriela hit Pulong Duterte’s ‘misleading interpretation’ of missile deployment
MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) denounced what it termed a "misleading interpretation" by Rep. Paolo Duterte (Davao City 1st District) of remarks made by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. concerning the temporary deployment of the United States' Typhon Missile System in the country.
In a statement on Sunday, October 26, the AFP said that Brawner’s statement provided a "technical fact" about the system’s range and emphasized that the deployment's sole purpose is for "training and capability-building,” saying it is part of the “AFP’s ongoing modernization efforts to strengthen national defense.”
“Any insinuation that the AFP or its leadership serves foreign interests is false and undermines the integrity, professionalism, and patriotism of the institution and its members who continue to defend our sovereignty,” the AFP said.
The statement from the Armed Forces came after Duterte, whose detained father had close ties with Beijing, accused Brawner of "boasting about missiles that can reach China” in a radio interview.
Duterte claimed Brawner was "trigger-happy for another country" and was essentially exposing the Filipino people to military retaliation from China.
“General, before you boast about missiles that can reach China — can you guarantee that you can stop the retaliation? Or are you willing to gamble Filipino lives just to show that you are close to your ‘bosses,’” Duterte said.
“The real question is: Who are you really serving? The Philippines or the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)?” he added.
In response, the AFP emphasized that all defense initiatives and partnerships are conducted strictly in line with the Philippines’ independent foreign policy and sovereign prerogative.
“We urge all public officials and opinion leaders to exercise prudence and responsibility in their statements to avoid fueling misinformation or distrust toward our Armed Forces,” the AFP said.
Unnecessary paranoia. In a separate statement, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela also called out Duterte, saying that he downplays China's aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea and is becoming "divisive noise."
“The Filipino people deserve better than this divisive noise. They need leaders who unite against external bullies and internal rot, not those who weaponize misleading narratives and pro-China lines to mislead and divide us,” he said.
According to Tarriela, Duterte's statements against Brawner served only to fuel needless fear and undermine the Philippines' essential defense alliances.
“Now, to the heart of your tirade: this so-called 'paranoia' about U.S. intervention. Gen. Brawner did not 'boast' about the U.S. Typhon mid-range missile system's deployment during joint exercises; he stated a fact — its range can reach China, enhancing our interoperability and deterrence in a volatile region,” Tarriela said.
“He emphasized that this is not aimed at any one nation but at upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added.
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