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NSC scores group for echoing China narrative vs. PH defense upgrades

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
April 29, 2025, 10:47 am

MANILA -- A ranking National Security Council (NSC) official on Tuesday criticized a militant group's remarks against the government's acquisition of the BrahMos cruise missile system, which seeks to beef up the Philippines' defensive capabilities.

In a statement, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said the statements of Bayan Muna no longer defend Filipino interests but openly echo and amplify the official propaganda of the People's Republic of China.

"Let's call a spade a spade: Bayan Muna is not advocating for the national interest, it is now speaking for Beijing," he added.

Malaya was referring to Bayan Muna executive vice president Carlos Zarate's remarks, saying the country's acquisition of the Indian-made missile system would spark an "arms race " and escalate regional conflict.

"Zarate's statement against the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is a repetition of China's official propaganda line. Their talking points are exactly the same as those of Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who early this year demanded the removal of US missile systems in the Philippines and accused our country of 'creating tensions' and 'inciting confrontation,' " the NSC official said.

Malaya also added that Bayan Muna's language and logic are the same.

"The only difference? One speaks Mandarin, the other pretends to speak for the masses and the people," he stressed.

The NSC official said to call the country's missile acquisitions "warmongering" and "waste" is to ignore the realities on the ground.

"Bayan Muna is practically demanding that we disarm in the face of mounting Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea. While Chinese ships swarm our waters, block our resupply missions, destroy our reefs, and harass our fisherfolk, Bayan Muna would have the Filipino people surrender our right to defend ourselves," he added.

Malaya reminded the group that the BrahMos missile procurement from India, and the planned acquisition of the US Typhon system, are both defensive, strategic, and calibrated responses to real and growing threats.

"These are not weapons of offensive war, they are tools of deterrence. These strengthen our defense posture to protect our shores, assert our sovereign rights, and uphold regional stability based on international law," he added.

"Public funds spent on defense are not 'wasted'—they are investments in freedom, sovereignty, and peace. Defense is not the enemy, foreign aggression is." (PNA)