QUEZON CITY – Alternative Think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ASCPSI) on Friday (May 17) sought a Senate investigation-in-aid of legislation into the alleged “United States-Defense Sec. Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro” subversion as it hailed Admiral Alberto Carlos.
During the Media Forum at the Packo’s Bar and Restaurant, ASCPSI President Herman “Ka Mentong” Tiu Laurel said that they are an alternative think which only protects the interest of the Filipinos and the whole nation, especially in the current issues, concerns and controversies about the South China Sea (SCS).
Laurel noted that Admiral Carlos, “being caught under the bus”, pinasasagasa sa ilalim ng bus si Admiral Carlos, so to speak.
He stressed that the recent pronouncements of Commodore Jay P. Tarriela, the Spokesperson for the WPS, seemed to have insubordinated the foreign policy direction set by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. that “goes down to the path of peace”, deescalate or palamigin ang tension sa SCS.
“Malinaw po ang instruction or policy direction ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas ‘for deescalation’ in the WPS,” Laurel said.
The ACPSSI chief executive noted that the dialogue between two top foreign officials had the imprimatur of the highest official of the Philippines.
Laurel cited the pronouncements of official position of the Marcos administration that the Philippines needs “paradigm shift” in dealing with the sea row – ang pag-aaway sa karagatan na kailangan nan ang pagbabago.
“We have to stop in going that way. We have gone the wrong road. Find a peaceful road to go down,” President Marcos had said.
President Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the APEC Summit 2023 in November last year. Top diplomats of China and the Philippines discussed tensions in the sea.
Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had 8th Philippine-China discussed bilateral cooperation and bilateral communication mechanism on the South China Sea in February this year.
According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal was “flawless” on Feb. 2, 2024 in accordance with the policy direction of President Marcos.
However, on Feb. 13, 2024, Tarriela surfaced saying that the Transparency strategy in WPS will continue despite de-escalation deal with China. Tarriela had no authority for making such a statement.
According to Laurel, Tarriela had no authority to go other way than the deal between President Marcos and Chinese President Xi for the de-escalation of tension in the South China Sea.
It was reported that AFP Western Command (Westcom) chief Admiral Carlos agreed to China’s “new model”.
Laurel also cited the article of former Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad in The Manila Times entitled “Thick fog, or ‘hamog’ over the West Philippine Sea”.
He stressed that Tarriela and not Carlos should be the one to be investigated in connection with the Transparency strategy in the WPS, which according to Tarriela, will continue despite the de-escalation with China.
“The proper body to investigate this is the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations chaired by Senator Imee R. Marcos,” Laurel said.
It was also reported that Sen. Marcos grills DFA’s Manalo for allegedly “xeroxing” the Defense Strategy of the United States of America.
Laurel noted that if the Senate could not convene to conduct an investigation-in-aid of legislation on the “insubordination” or even “subversion” for undermining the government policies purportedly committed by Tarriela, they will organize a “People’s Tribunal”, saying that “Let the people decide”.
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