Tarriela: 'Kailan ba tumindig si Cayetano against harassment in West PH Sea?' | DZMM Tarriela

Описание: Courtesy of DZMM Teleradyo.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela fired back on Monday at Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea continue to escalate.

Tarriela questioned why he was the one being subjected to criticism by Cayetano instead of China who has repeatedly harassed Filipino fishermen and the PCG.

"Ang tanong ko dito, 'yun ba talagang caricature na 'yun is more than enough para magalit sa akin si Sen. Cayetano at hindi siya magalit sa ginagawang violation ng China everytime na bina-violate ang ating sovereign rights? Everytime na wino-water cannon ang mangingisdang Pilipino," Tarriela said in an interview with DZMM TeleRadyo's Isyu Spotted.

"My question to him is when was the last time he issued a statement to condemn the aggressive actions of China? 'Yung pagkagigil niya sa akin naibato ba niya 'yan sa China everytime na hina-harass tayo," Tarriela continued.

On Monday, Cayetano showed in a Senate session the caricature used by Tarriela during a lecture that showed Chinese president Xi Jinping and the words "Why China remains to be bully?" [sic].

Cayetano also said during the Senate session that Tarriela should clarify which statement of China he was answering so that there wouldn't be any confusion.

Tarriela, however, questioned why Cayetano was seeking clarification from him instead of questioning the acts of China.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano 'yung sinasabi ni Sen. Cayetano. Ang gusto kong malaman kung ano ang insidente ang tinindigan niya at ipinaglaban niya ang karapatan ng Pilipino. Hindi 'yung hahanapan niya ako kung ano'ng sinabi ng China na sinagot ko. That should be the way he stands up for our right: Para sa Pilipinas at hindi para sa China," Tarriela said.

"Bakit ako pa ang may kasalanan dito? Why would the Senate, especially Sen. Cayetano, spend his time at the plenary debate [at] ang kakastiguhin niya 'yung caricature ko. Kailan ba tumindig si Sen. Cayetano against harassment [in the West Philippine Sea]," he added.

The PCG official also blasted Cayetano over his time as the Department of Foreign Affairs secretary during the Duterte administration.

"He became the secretary of Foreign Affairs during the time of the Duterte administration. Mayroon ba siyang talagang pagtindig sa West Philippine Sea noong nakaraang administrasyon," Tarriela said.



ON MARCOLETA'S DEBATE INVITATION

The PCG spokesperson also addressed Sen. Rodante Marcoleta's counteroffer to have a debate instead of visiting the Kalayaan Island Group to which the latter earlier said was not inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

"Pwede naman tayo magdebate if we're going to talk about other issues but not our territorial integrity. As a member of the Senate, hindi ba bina-violate na niya 'yung oath niya? Imagine kinukwestiyon niya, siding on the other side of the room pagdating sa debate ang pag-uusapan natin West Philippine Sea," Tarriela said.

"Ano ba ito? Joke ba ito? Mga senador natin makikidebate sa sarili nating posisyon sa West Philippine Sea? ... Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na alam kung serious talaga si Sen. Marcoleta because he is a member of the Senate. He represents the Filipino people. Why would he debate on something that [questions] our own territorial integrity?" he continued.

Tarriela also shared that the stand of Filipinos on the issue on the West Philippine Sea should transcend political preferences as it is for the country itself.

"West Philippine Sea pinag-uusapan natin. Kahit sinong pulitiko sinusuportahan mo — whether you supported 'yung nakaraang administrasyon, DDS ka, you supported the UniTeam, or President Marcos — para sa akin pag West Philippine Sea 'di ba dapat nagkakaisa tayo dito," he said.

The PCG official also extended his invitation to visit the Kalayaan Island Group to Marcoleta's son Paolo and said that his offer remains open.

"Kung gusto niya sumakay siya sa eroplano, kung gusto niya magbangka siya, sasamahan ko silang magtatay para magkaroon sila ng kakaibang karanasan pagdating sa West Philippine Sea. Sasakyang pandagat, sasakyang panghimpapawid ng Pilipinas, I can arrange this and I'll join them," Tarriela said.

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