Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Z. Duterte on Saturday criticized Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. over his recent remarks highlighting that U.S. missiles in the Philippines have the capability to reach China.
In a statement online, Duterte questioned whether such pronouncements truly serve the country’s national defense, or merely display loyalty to the United States.
“So is this now our idea of defense? Showing off for America even if it’s clear that Filipinos will be the first to burn from another nation’s retaliation?” he said.
The lawmaker, son of former president Rodrigo Duterte, warned that such comments could put the lives of Filipinos at risk, especially amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
“General, before you boast about missiles that can reach China — can you guarantee that you can stop the retaliation? Or are you willing to gamble Filipino lives just to show how close you are to your ‘bosses’?” he added.
Duterte then questioned the AFP chief’s allegiance, saying:
“Who are you really serving — the Philippines or the CIA?”
He further urged Brawner to focus instead on addressing the country’s real security threats, such as corruption, misuse of public funds, and abuse of power by officials in both uniform and suits.
“Don’t lecture us about defending the nation if you can’t even defend the people from thieves in uniform and suits,” he said, citing how corrupt military officials in other countries are punished, while in the Philippines, “they get promotions and press briefings as reward.”
Brawner earlier confirmed in an interview with DZRH that U.S. weapons systems positioned in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) are capable of striking targets as far as China.
“Wala naman dapat pakielam ang China sa mga ginagawa natin dahil pinalalakas lamang natin ang AFP,” General Romeo Brawner Jr. said in an interview with DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan.
“Kahit na meron ‘yong EDCA sites o wala, target pa rin tayo,” the General added, noting that the country’s geopolitical location makes it a strategic line of defense against external aggression.
His remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some officials lauding the strengthened alliance with the U.S., while others — including Duterte — warned it could drag the Philippines into geopolitical conflict.
