Naglabas ng pahayag si Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson Cdre. Jay Tarriela kaugnay sa panawagang abolisyon ni Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga sa nasabing ahensya.
Ayon ibinahaging post ni Tarriela sa kaniyang “X” account nitong Martes, Oktubre 28, sinabi niyang “misleading” ang umano’y isinapublikong video speech ni Barzaga patungkol sa PCG.
“I am compelled to respond to the misleading and inflammatory remarks made by Cong. Kiko Barzaga in a circulating video, which grossly misrepresent the Philippine Coast Guard’s mandate, operations, and the very essence of our service to the Filipino people[...]” pagsisimula ni Tarriela.
Pagpapatuloy pa ni Tarriela, nakababahala, hindi wasto, at iresponsable umano ang pagsasabi ni Barzaga na ang PCG ang mag-uumpisa ng World War III.
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Aniya, hindi raw basta lang “abstract geopolitical issue” ang West Philippine Sea bagkus isang pambansang yaman ng Pilipinas na siyang bumubuhay sa milyong bilang ng mga pamilyang Pilipino.
“The PCG’s presence there is not an act of provocation. PCG’s absence would be a blatant dereliction of duty. We are mandated to uphold and protect our sovereign rights under international law, including the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award,” ani Tarriela.
Nilinaw rin ni Tarriela na pinipigilan umano ng kanilang pagbabantay at operasyon sa WPS ang mga illegal activities ng China at upang maprotektahan na rin ang mga mangingisdang Pilipino mula sa pangha-harass ng nasabing bansa.
“The PCG stands resolute: our operations in the WPS are acts of patriotism and public service, carried out with professionalism, transparency, adherence to law and restraint,” pagdidiin pa niya.
Ipinaliwanag din ni Tarriela na “factually wrong” at “legally unfounded” ang mga akusasyon ni Barzaga patungkol sa sinabi nitong “corrupt organization” ang PCG.
“Equally troubling is his baseless accusation that the PCG is a “corrupt organization” that confers “high ranks” on political figures. This claim is factually wrong and legally unfounded. Republic Act No. 9993, or the Philippine Coast Guard Law of 2009[...]” saad niya.
Dagdag pa ni Tarriela, insulto raw sa aabot sa 36,000 na bilang ng mga miyembro ng PCG ang sinabi ni Barzaga na kasayangan lang daw sa pondo ng gobyerno ang pag-iral ng kanilang ahensya.
“[T]o call for the abolition of the PCG and dismiss our existence as a “waste of government funds” is both reckless and deeply insulting to the 36,000 strong of the PCG who serve this nation with honor and courage,” paggigiit niya.
“Our men and women operate in the harshest conditions—rescuing those in distress at sea, enforcing maritime laws, protecting our environment, and standing firm against coercion in the WPS[...]” paliwanag pa ni Tarriela.
Nagawa ring manawagan ni Tarriela kay Barzaga na magpakonsulta siya sa kaniyang doktor o abogado para mas maintindihan umano niya ang ahensya ng PCG.
“I respectfully urge Cong. Barzaga to retract his statements and recommend that he consult with a doctor or a lawyer for a clearer understanding of the Philippine Coast Guard,” pagtatapos pa niya.
Samantala, wala pang bago inilalabas na pahayag si Barzaga kaugnay rito.
MAKI-BALITA: ‘Corrupt establishment daw, puwedeng maging sanhi ng World War III?’ Barzaga, sigaw abolisyon ng PCG
Mc Vincent Mirabuna/Balita
