Paolo Duterte brands Tarriela a “bootlicker” defending AFP chief

Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte slammed Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for West Philippine Sea affairs Commodore Jay Tarriela, calling him a “chihuahua” barking to defend Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.

“I confronted Brawner. It was the chihuahua who barked,” Duterte said in a fiery statement, referring to Tarriela, whom he described as “a discharged PMA cadet allegedly for cheating.”

The lawmaker accused Tarriela of trying to climb the ranks by “licking boots and attacking those who oppose the bangagadministration.” He also warned him not to use the Coast Guard for personal ambition.

“If you want respect, earn it — not by barking or brown-nosing, and not by dragging your institution into your insecurity. Honor is earned — and you’ve earned none,” Duterte said.

Duterte clarified that his earlier remark was not about China, but about the government’s failure to protect Filipino lives. “Statements that provoke rather than prevent military confrontation are never a good idea, especially if a nation cannot afford one,” he added.

On Sunday, Tarriela fired back, defending Gen. Brawner from Duterte’s criticism over the presence of the U.S. Typhon missile system in the Philippines. He said Duterte’s tirades only fuel paranoia and threaten the country’s defense ties.

“These alliances are not gambles with Filipino lives; they are calculated steps to safeguard our sovereignty,” Tarriela said.

Tarriela also accused Duterte of echoing Beijing’s propaganda. “Your rhetoric is not about peace — it’s a defense of China, the same regime treating our waters as its backyard,” he said.

Earlier, Duterte blasted Brawner for “gambling with Filipino lives” and “colluding with the Americans.” “So is this our idea of defense? Showing off for America even if Filipinos will be the first to burn from another nation’s retaliation?” Duterte said. “Who are you really serving — the Philippines or the CIA?”