Bayan Muna Party-list on Wednesday, April 30, told National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya to stop lecturing them about patriotism following the militant group's criticism of the government's purchase of a BrahMos cruise missile system.

The group's former representative in the Congress, Carlos Zarate, hit back at Malaya after the latter said "Bayan Muna is not advocating for the national interest, it is now speaking for Beijing."

"Zarate’s statement against the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is a repetition of China’s official propaganda line. Their talking points are exactly the same as those of Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who early this year demanded the removal of US missile systems in the Philippines and accused our country of 'creating tensions' and 'inciting confrontation,'" Malaya also said.

But the problem with Malaya, Zarate claimed, is that he has no "freedom" to think. Ironically, Malaya is the Filipino word for "free".

"Walang matibay na paninindigan at palaging sumasama kung saan lang dinadala ng opportunistic political wind (He has no strong stance and always goes with wherever political wind he is being brought)," Zarate said.

Zarate questioned Malaya's foreign policy stance. Specifically, he asked "when did he ever criticize China" during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte--a known ally of Beijing.

“Malaya is once again proving that he is more loyal to his current foreign master than to the Filipino people. Dahil bumaliktad na ang hangin, pivot to Uncle Sam na naman siya (Because the wind's direction has changed, he has now pivoted to Uncle Sam),” Zarate said.

Zarate emphasized that Bayan Muna has long held a consistent position: opposition to all forms of foreign military intervention and domination, whether from China or the United States (US).

“Bayan Muna has always been clear and consistent: we oppose the interference of both imperialist powers—China and the US—in our country’s affairs. We don’t want the Philippines to be used as a theater of war. We don’t want our scarce resources wasted on an arms race that only benefits corrupt officials and foreign defense contractors,” he said.

“What we need are more hospitals, schools, and social services, not missiles and war machines. Public funds should serve the people, not the war games of imperialist powers.”

Zarate also condemned what he called the “dangerous and dishonest narrative” being pushed by Malaya and the NSC to justify the increasing militarization in the country and the region.

“Malaya cannot fool the people into thinking that buying missiles and hosting US weapons systems will protect us. These actions escalate tensions in the region and make us a target. They do not defend our sovereignty—they undermine it,” Zarate stressed.