The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) blasted retired senior military officials spreading malicious statements about the military’s efforts in defending the country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

In a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday, AFP spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad strongly rebuked remarks made by Retired Air Force MGen. Romeo Poquiz, who warned that the Philippines might be turning into a launch pad for foreign powers and risk becoming “another Ukraine.”

Trinidad described such statements as “defeatist,” “alarmist,” and “misleading,” insisting that all current defense actions are firmly rooted in upholding Philippine sovereignty.

“It has come to the attention of the leadership of the Armed Forces that some retired members of the AFP have been posting online some comments that we deem we have to address,” Trinidad said. 

“First and foremost, those attributed to retired senior officers, that we are a pawn in a power play between the United States and China,” he added. 

In his social media posts, Poquiz expressed concern over what he called the Philippines’ growing dependence on the United States, noting that increased military cooperation could drag the Philippines into a geopolitical conflict akin to Russia’s war in Ukraine. 

“What we need is wisdom, not war cries. We need leaders who think long-term, who can defend sovereignty without turning Filipinos into cannon fodder. Let’s not be another Ukraine. History already taught us what naïveté, arrogance, or incompetence can cost,” Poquiz said, warning of the risks that the Philippines could become “an unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Indo-Pacific.”

Protecting nat’l interests

In response, Trinidad emphasized that such views misrepresent both the intent and posture of the Philippine military. 

“Let this be very clear, first and foremost. We are a sovereign state. We have our national interest,”  he said.  

Trinidad stressed that all the actions of the AFP are in furtherance of the national interest. 

“We will not fight for the interests of another country, nor will we be dictated by them. Standing up for our rights does not mean being subservient to the interests of another country,” he added. 

Moreover, Trinidad reiterated that the country’s defense modernization and strategic partnerships are not offensive in nature but defensive, aimed at protecting territory, enforcing maritime rights, and ensuring peace and stability in the region.

“It is a misleading statement to say that we are being turned into another Ukraine. We are not preparing the Armed Forces for offense. We are preparing the Armed Forces to defend what is legally and rightfully the Filipinos.”

“But I mentioned earlier that these statements are alarmist. They are defeatist. They might weaken our resolve of those undecided.” 

Trinidad also rejected remarks that the Philippines is being manipulated in the ongoing power competition between China and the United States. 

“Standing up for our rights does not mean being subservient,” he said. “The 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling is more than just a paper victory and we stood firm for international law, for our sovereignty, and for future generations of Filipinos.”

Effect on AFP ranks

When asked about the impact of such narratives on the morale of military personnel, particularly those stationed in the WPS, Trinidad said the effect is “very minimal” on the rank and file of the Armed Forces.

“Considering that every member of the AFP now understands that the West Philippine Sea is an existential issue. It is the future of the country at stake,” he said. 

“We are concerned about the uninformed. We are concerned about those who are not yet decided, who are still unaware.”

He called on the retired military officials to be responsible about giving statements, expressing concern that such a narrative would undermine national unity and demoralize both active and retired personnel.

“I would like to call out members of the AFP who once served with pride and dignity to show the same patriotism even when they are retired,  because patriotism transcends the uniform,” Trinidad said. 

“We expect more from them, more responsible statements that will show the strength of the country and that we can resolve as a people,” he further stated. 

Trinidad likewise emphasized that the country’s modernization program “does not mean that the government has any intention to fight another country.”

“ If I may paraphrase the Commander-in-Chief in the Command Conference this morning, when he mentioned, and I state, we have no desire to attack anyone. Let me just add to that, on the other hand, your Armed Forces have every desire to ensure the integrity of the national territory,” he told reporters.