The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) called out retired military officials who were allegedly echoing “defeatist” narratives related to the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesperson for WPS, firmly dismissed allegations circulating online that the Philippines is serving as a pawn in the geopolitical power struggle between the United States and China.

“These statements are defeatist and alarmist,” Trinidad said on Thursday, July 17. “They send a wrong message, especially to the Filipino people and even to the former men and women of the Armed Forces who served under these retired senior officers.”

Trinidad said such a statement undermines the Philippines’ sovereignty, questions its ability to assert its rights, and suggests surrender or inaction in the face of foreign pressure, particularly from China.

“There are still a few mouthpieces in the Philippines, Filipino mouthpieces, that have been speaking out the discourse or the narrative of the Chinese Communist Party. This is very unbecoming of a Filipino,” he said.

“We have to be very clear that we should understand ano ang pinaglalaban ng inyong AFP (what the AFP is fighting for). Kung ikaw ay tunay na Filipino, hindi mo dapat inuulit ang linya ng Chinese Communist Party (If you are a real Filipino, you should not echo the narrative of the Chinese Communist Party). Every Filipino must be very aware that the desire of the Chinese Communist Party is to sow malign influence, to be able to shape public perception to their favor,” he stated.

Trinidad issued the remarks after a recent wave of social media posts by former military officials, including retired Philippine Air Force (PAF) major general Romeo Poquiz, who warned that the Philippines risks becoming “another Ukraine” amid its growing security ties with the United States.

Poquiz, who served as the commander of the PAF’s 2nd Air Division before retiring in 2014, warned that the Philippines may be caught in the crossfire of a high-stakes power struggle between the US and China. He insisted it was not defeatism but “strategic foresight”, noting that nobody could ever question his love for the country.

Trinidad, however, emphasized that standing firm against coercion in the WPS does not equate to subservience.

“We expect more from them, more responsible statements that will show the strength of the country and our resolve as a people. Just because we have our modernization program does not mean we have any intention to fight another country,” he stressed.

He reiterated the military’s commitment to defend the country’s territorial integrity in the WPS, invoking the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling as a landmark legal victory that upholds Philippine sovereign rights in the region, as Poquiz questioned its strategic value. The country commemorated last July 12 the ninth anniversary of the landmark decision, which affirmed the Philippines’ rights in the WPS and invalidated China’s claims.

“The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling is more than just a paper victory. We stood up to the Chinese Communist Party. We stood firm for international law, for freedom of navigation, for our sovereignty and sovereign rights. We stood firm for the future of this country and the future generation of Filipinos,” Trinidad said.

He explained that multilateral cooperation being formed by the Philippines with “like-minded” nations is part of the enforcement mechanism for the arbitral ruling, citing joint exercises as demonstrations of support for international law and freedom of navigation.

Last July 16, the AFP conducted the eighth bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom), covering strategic waters from Palauig, Zambales to Cabra Island, Occidental Mindoro.

The Philippine Navy deployed BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), an AgustaWestland AW109 helicopter, a C-208B aircraft, and a PAF search and rescue aircraft. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also deployed BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) and BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406).

Meanwhile, the United States was represented by the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

During the joint sail, three Chinese vessels shadowed the AFP and US Indopacom vessels in an apparent show of defiance against their show of unity.

Trinidad reiterated that “not one square inch” of Philippine territory will be surrendered to any foreign power, echoing the remarks of President Marcos Jr.

“West Philippine Sea is non-negotiable. It is part and parcel of our country. It is part and parcel of our territory. It is part and parcel of our legacy to the future generations of Filipinos,” he said.