The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have opposed the malicious statements released by retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz in regards to the country’s effort to protect the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
According to Poquiz, the country is at risk to become “another Ukraine,” after the Philippines became the middle of a powerplay between the U.S. and China.
AFP Spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad blasted Poquiz’s statement, stating them as “defeatist,” “alarmist,”, and “misleading,” stating that all actions done by the defense ministry to protect the territory are deeply based to uphold the Philippine sovereignty.
“It is a misleading statement to say that we are being turned into another Ukraine. We are not preparing the Armed Forces for offense.
We are preparing the Armed Forces to defend what is legally and rightfully the Filipinos,” said Trinidad.
“But I mentioned earlier that these statements are alarmist. They are defeatist. They might weaken our resolve of those undecided,” he added.
Moreover, the Spokesperson also emphasized the sovereignty the Philippine has.
“Let this be very clear, first and foremost. We are a sovereign state. We have our national interest,” Trinidad stated.
“We will not fight for the interests of another country, nor will we be dictated by them. Standing up for our rights does not mean being subservient to the interests of another country,” the Spokesperson added. | via Florence Alfonso
