Tarriela says Bersamin used ‘wrong terminology’ in responding to Ayungin Shoal clash

This was the assessment of Commodore Jay Tarriela, the newly designated deputy spokesperson of the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), in light of the latest development in which Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro had to issue a clarification.

“It was unfortunate that perhaps the Executive Secretary dropped the wrong terminology… as to the magnitude of the illegal actions, barbaric and inhumane aggression of the Chinese Coast Guard,” Tarriela told journalist Christian Esguerra in an episode of his ‘Facts First’ podcast on Monday evening.

Bersamin used the words ‘misunderstanding’ and ‘accident’ to describe the intense confrontation between China’s forces against Philippine Navy servicemen, which triggered negative reactions among Filipinos as it appeared that the government toned down its messaging.

Tarriela said he understood that the level of emotions was high, especially after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) released dramatic footage of the encounter that clearly showed China’s actions were deliberate, illegal and excessive.

Teodoro, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro representing the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released a joint statement in Malacañang to amplify President Marcos’ position on the issue, noting that the Philippines will not back down against China.

Their message was a complete departure to the announcement of Bersamin and Presidential Assistant for Maritime Concerns Andres Centino last Friday, when they hinted that the AFP may consider publicizing the schedules of future routine and resupply (RoRe) missions to the BRP Sierra Madre.

“Secretary Gilbert Teodoro clarified that the policy recommendation of the NMC was not approved by the President. We will not make an announcement of our resupply activities in the coming months,” Tarriela stated.

Meanwhile, Tarriela believed the Executive Secretary did not intend to downplay what happened. He said Bersamin was asked whether the government considered the incident as an armed attack and he was not given the opportunity to expound his answer.

“I would like to believe that the Executive Secretary doesn’t want to downplay what really happened. He understood what our soldiers were going through. So, I think that’s the best way to put it,” Tarriela told Esguerra.