Teodoro Fires Back at Carlos and Defends Tarriela Over China Remarks

On Friday, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. struck back at former National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos over her criticism of him.

Teodoro said such comments have no place when the country’s sovereignty and territory are at stake. He also gave his backing to Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, who had questioned Carlos’ reaction to China’s actions in the disputed waters.

“There is no room for that kind of talk when the national interest is on the line,” Teodoro told reporters in a virtual interview. “When we are talking about Philippine sovereignty and territory, there are no ifs or buts,” he stressed.

Teodoro was responding to remarks Carlos made on Wednesday in an interview with One News’ Morning Matters. She had faulted both him and Tarriela for speaking publicly about foreign policy, arguing that such matters belong to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro. She also called Tarriela a “troublemaker” and told him to keep quiet.

Tarriela had already fired back, accusing Carlos of failing to defend the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea during her time as national security adviser. He also asked why she seemed angrier at his comments than at China’s conduct in Philippine waters.

Teodoro echoed that criticism, asking what Carlos could possibly say about China’s bad behavior. “Admiral Tarriela’s point is correct, and it is undeniable,” he said.

The defense chief also objected to Carlos telling Tarriela to be silent. Telling people to shut up, he said, applies equally to anyone who holds a different view. He added a pointed warning to Carlos: when you point a finger at someone, four fingers point back at you.

Teodoro made clear, however, that he has no intention of getting into a drawn-out public debate with her. “I won’t be drawn into a polemic with someone who isn’t fully informed on this issue,” he said.

Carlos served as national security adviser from June 2022 to January 2023, when she was succeeded by Eduardo Año, a former Armed Forces chief of staff and former interior and local government secretary.

The clash comes amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing, after Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan remarked that China could easily win if it used force against the Philippines. Beijing has since said it has no intention of doing so.

The Department of Foreign Affairs described Jing’s remarks as a thinly veiled threat of force, and Teodoro and Tarriela also criticized the ambassador. On Monday, Lazaro summoned Jing to convey Manila’s strong objection, calling his comments provocative and unacceptable. The DFA also warned that the Philippines reserves the right to take further diplomatic action if necessary.