DAVAO CITY – Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte criticized Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro for her “reckless and historically ignorant” remarks regarding the country’s defense of the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement released to the media on Tuesday, Oct. 28, Rep. Duterte said Castro should “study the timeline and check the facts” before commenting on national defense matters.

“Before the Palace spokesperson lectures anyone about ‘being inutile’ in defending our seas, she should first study the timeline and check the facts. It can’t be all talk in front of a camera with zero research,” Rep. Duterte said.

The Davao lawmaker defended former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s administration on national security, particularly its efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which he said reached a level “not achieved in decades.”

Rep. Duterte cited the acquisition of radar systems, missile systems, attack helicopters, and other naval assets, along with improved equipment for soldiers.

“That did not fall from the sky. That took political will and budget prioritization,” Rep. Duterte said. “If that is what she calls ‘inutil,’ then she just called our modernized AFP useless, and every soldier who risks his life and limb for this country is a joke.”

He said his father, former President Duterte, prioritized protecting Filipino lives “above all” and avoided actions that could drag the country into conflict.

“The former President refused to be a pawn of the Central Intelligence Agency. He refused to drag Filipinos into a war we cannot afford. He ensured that we Filipinos can survive and live with dignity,” the congressman said.

Rep. Duterte added that the previous administration sought to raise the morale of the Armed Forces through concrete support rather than “empty promises,” which he said should be the priority of any commander-in-chief.

He accused the current administration of failing to improve the situation of Filipino fishermen and lacking a clear foreign policy direction.

“Under the current administration: Zero improvements in fishermen’s protection, zero clarity in foreign policy, and zero backbone when facing economic collapse — but full effort in pleasing America,” Rep. Duterte said.

He urged Castro not to “rewrite the successes” of the Duterte administration and to “defend the current President’s failures instead.”

“Do not disrespect a leader who delivered safety and stability for our citizens while you are busy crowdsourcing solutions for the economy,” Rep. Duterte said.

The lawmaker said the Duterte administration confronted challenges directly and succeeded in addressing them, while the current administration relies on the public to compensate for the President’s shortcomings.

“Next time you want to bring up the West Philippine Sea, start with the truth: We built strength, you built excuses,” Rep. Duterte said.

Malacañang has yet to respond to Rep. Duterte’s remarks as of posting time.