Navy spox on remarks PH becoming another Ukraine: ‘Defeatist, alarmist’

In this file photo, USS George Washington conducts flight operations on July 2, 2025 in the West Philippine Sea. PHOTO by John Eric Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s fight in the West Philippine Sea will not lead to a Ukraine scenario, a Philippine Navy spokesperson said on Thursday, calling such remarks “defeatist and alarmist.”

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, made the response to remarks of a retired Philippine Air Force general during the 9th anniversary of the historic arbitral tribunal ruling.

On July 12, 2016, an international tribunal ruling effectively dismissed Beijing’s overlapping claims while ruling heavily in favor of Manila’s sovereign rights in the western section of its exclusive economic zone.

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To assert its sovereignty claim in almost the entire South China Sea, Beijing has continuously made aggressive actions against the Filipino coast guard and navy in its maritime missions like resupply missions in a naval outpost in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal.

Retired Maj. Gen. Romeo Poquiz said the country needs a leader “who can defend sovereignty without turning Filipinos into cannon fodder.”

“Let’s not be another Ukraine,” Poquiz said in a July 14 post.

“These statements are defeatist and alarmist,” Trinidad said in a special press conference in Camp Aguinaldo.

`Wrong message’

“They send the wrong message, especially to the Filipino people and even to the former men and women of the armed forces who served under these retired senior officers,” he said.

“It is a misleading statement to say that we are being turned into another Ukraine,” he continued. “We are not preparing the armed forces for offense, we are preparing the armed forces to defend what is legally and rightfully [belongs to] the Filipinos.”

Trinidad also addressed Poquiz’s remarks that there is a need to protect the country from becoming a “pawn in a looming war between giants”, referring to China and the United States.

“Let this be very clear, first and foremost, we are a sovereign state. We have our national interests. All the actions of the armed forces are in furtherance of this national interest. We will not fight for the interest of another country nor will we be dictated by them,” Trinidad said in direct response. “Standing up for our rights does not mean being subservient to the interests of another country.”

The official also reminded retired military officials to be more responsible in uttering remarks.

“We expect more from them, more responsible statements that will show the strength of the country and not weaken our resolve as people,” he said. /mr