The Akbayan Party congratulated Philippine Coast Guard's Jay Tarriela on his promotion to rear admiral, describing it as a 'slap in the face' to China over his firm defense of the West Philippine Sea.
On Sunday, the Akbayan Party issued a statement congratulating Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard's spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, on his elevation to rear admiral. Akbayan president Rafaela David, also a co-convenor of the Atin Ito coalition, described the promotion as a significant victory for supporters of the West Philippine Sea and a strong rebuke to China and its Manila embassy, which have repeatedly targeted Tarriela for his outspoken defense of Philippine sovereignty.
David noted that Tarriela has consistently shared factual updates on West Philippine Sea developments with the public and international community, resisting disinformation and external pressures. 'When confronted by public attacks from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Philippines, he did not retreat—asserting our rights under international law and standing firmly by his duty to inform,' she stated.
The promotion was announced in a February 23 letter from Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, as the PCG falls under the Department of Transportation. It occurred amid tensions sparked by Tarriela's comments on Chinese incursions in Philippine waters, including his January 14 presentation at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde featuring AI-generated caricatures of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which prompted a formal protest from the Chinese Embassy and escalated into a verbal exchange involving senators and House members. Malacañang urged both sides to foster mutual respect.